The Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) failed to attract a single landowner or farmer to its voluntary land pooling initiative for developing new urban sectors around Karnal. The deadline for registration on the e-Bhoomi portal ended on June 30, with zero responses.
Awareness camps yield no results
HSVP had proposed to acquire 2,169 acres across revenue estates including Karnal, Mangalpur, Makrampur, Baldi, Kailash, Tikri, Budhakhera, Phoosgarh, Gharaunda and Nilokheri. Landowners were invited to voluntarily offer their land by quoting their expected price on the portal. To encourage participation, the authority organised 11 awareness camps in the affected villages.
Aditi, Estate Officer of HSVP, confirmed that no farmer applied on the e-Bhoomi portal. She stated that the camps were intended to explain the scheme in detail and address concerns raised by farmers and landowners.
High land prices deter participation
According to sources, the steep increase in land prices in the proposed development areas discouraged farmers. The current market value of land in these villages ranges between Rs 8 crore and Rs 12 crore per acre. However, HSVP did not specify the price it was willing to offer.
“Without clarity on compensation and the development plan, farmers were reluctant to give their consent,” said a farmer who requested anonymity.
Lack of master plan adds to uncertainty
Farmers also claimed that the authority did not share a detailed master plan for the proposed sectors. This lack of transparency further dampened interest in the voluntary pooling model.
The failed drive raises questions about the effectiveness of the consent-based land acquisition approach, which was intended to avoid compulsory acquisition disputes.
