The Surat Development Plan 2035, which is being prepared by the Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA), has seen a lot of back and forth between SUDA and the Central government. So far, there have been three protests by residents of the villages that are likely to be impacted by the Development Plan.
In 2015, 104 villages of Olpad, Choryasi, Kamrej, Palsana and Mangrol tehsils were brought under the jurisdiction of SUDA. However, in 2016, 56 of these villages were removed from the draft of the Development Plan.
In January 2019, the re-inclusion of 22 villages each in Olpad and Kamrej tehsils and two villages in Palsana tehsil in Surat, from among the 56 villages that were removed, was mandated for the construction of the 120-feet ring road project proposed by the Centre.
After the re-inclusion was announced, around 150 farmers from 10 of the affected villages in Olpad and Kamrej voiced their protest in Sandhiyer village. They alleged that the government went about excluding and including villages in the Development Plan without any consultation. They also claimed that the land in question is agricultural land and that there have been devastating effects in the past when the land was brought under SUDA in 1978 for developmental purpose.
According to Gujarat Khedut Samaj, a farmers' body based in Ahmedabad, soil fertility and groundwater table suffered in the neighbouring areas, and animal husbandry and local livelihoods, such as dairy farming, took a hit. The villages did not see any infrastructural development and still lack basic facilities, such as drainage and continuous water and electricity supply.
Despite their protests, in October 2020, the Gujarat government approved the Draft Development Plan after finalising it.
The objective of the Surat Development Plan is to regulate and guide urban growth in the development authority area in a planned manner. SUDA plans to build industrial corridors and townships on the land. The total cost estimate for the entire plan until 2035 is Rs 30,293 crore.
In October 2024, builders submitted a letter to the Gujarat government in Gandhinagar regarding the change of land use in specific blocks or survey numbers in these villages. Following which, the government sent the proposal to change the land zones of more than 16 villages.
Residents of Hazira region, including farmers from seven tribal villages, expressed their anger and frustration over the draft map released SUDA-2035 development plan. The draft map, which outlines major infrastructure projects, threatens to demolish over 1,000 homes and displace approximately 48,000 people. Villagers claimed that the plan is designed not for their development but for the destruction of their communities, as it allocates fertile agricultural land for industrial zones and highway construction.
According to the proposed plan, a significant portion of agricultural land will be acquired for 18m, 60m, and 90m roads, alongside recreational and sewage treatment zones. The local residents, many of whom rely on farming, animal husbandry, and fishing for their livelihoods, fear losing their homes and land. In October 2024, villagers from Bhatlai, Rajgiri, Suwali, and other areas converged at the SUDA office, demanding a revision of the zoning plan and highlighting their objections to the land acquisitions.
Jamin Patel, a villager, told Bhaskar that 'this is not a development plan but rather a scheme that threatens to dismantle their village'. Patel and others vowed to launch more vigorous protests if their demands are not met, reminiscent of historic struggles for land rights.
As many as 2,165 households in villages like Rajgari and Sunwali are at risk of losing their homes, according to the villagers’ estimates. They argue that government lands are readily available, yet the authorities have opted to target privately-owned land instead. They demand a re-evaluation of the land and zoning process, claiming that the local government has consistently chosen to prioritize corporate interests over the livelihoods of its residents.
The villagers also submitted a formal objection to the SUDA CEO, highlighting the need for a resurvey and re-zoning to protect their homes and farmland.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Refusal to give up land for the project
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Urban
Type of Land
Private
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Non-agri rural enterprise, Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
30293
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2016
Has the Conflict Ended?
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Other
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of free prior informed consent
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
High Court of Gujarat
Case Number
WP. 1480/2016
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Surat Municipal Corporation, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Surat Urban Development Authority
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
N/A
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Gujarat Khedut Samaj, local residents
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Aditi is a freelance development researcher. She has a Master’s in Development Studies from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India. She has previously worked with WWF India on forest-based livelihoods and international wildlife trade. She has also worked on the Forest Rights Act in Dangs district in Gujarat. Her paper, “Forest-based livelihoods, Malki practice and Forest Rights Act in Gujarat: The case of Adivasis in the Dangs,” has been published in the book, Adivasis in India: Livelihoods, Resources and Institutions, by Bloomsbury India.
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