Gujarat Government Approves Reallocation of Unused Narmada Dam Rehabilitation Land for Industrial Purposes
The Gujarat government has made a significant in-principle decision to reallocate approximately 6,247 hectares of land that was originally reserved for the relief and rehabilitation of persons displaced by the Narmada dam project. This substantial land parcel will now be utilized for industrial purposes and various other development works across the state.
Cabinet Decision and Land Transfer Process
During Wednesday's cabinet meeting, a detailed presentation was made regarding the status of this reserved land. Following thorough discussions, the cabinet approved the transfer of this unused land, which is spread across 40 talukas in 9 districts, to the revenue department. The revenue department will subsequently allocate these land parcels for multiple development projects throughout Gujarat.
Government sources confirmed that the relief and rehabilitation work for project-affected families has been formally completed. Furthermore, the state government has received necessary approval from the Grievance Redressal Authority, which was established as per Supreme Court directives to oversee rehabilitation and compensation matters.
District-wise Land Distribution
The unused land reserved for Narmada dam rehabilitation is distributed across nine districts with the following allocations:
- Vadodara: 1,347.77 hectares (highest allocation)
- Bharuch: 1,198.16 hectares
- Ahmedabad: 944.07 hectares
- Chhota Udepur: 691.75 hectares
- Panchmahal: 660.01 hectares
- Narmada: 593.31 hectares
- Kheda: 570 hectares
- Tapi: 98.24 hectares
- Mahisagar: 93.69 hectares
Immediate Availability for Development Projects
With the formal completion of rehabilitation work and necessary approvals in place, these land parcels will now be transferred to the revenue department for immediate utilization. Government sources emphasized that multiple departments have been awaiting land acquisition and allotment for various projects including:
- Industrial estates and parks
- Primary Health Centers (PHCs)
- Community Health Centers (CHCs)
- Other critical development initiatives
"Land will now be readily available for various projects of government departments," stated official sources, highlighting how this decision will accelerate development work across the state.
Urban Expansion and Land Protection Challenges
Government officials noted an important development regarding these land parcels. Over the years, due to urban expansion and growth of cities and towns, much of this reserved land has now fallen within city limits. This geographical shift has created new challenges for land management and protection.
"It is becoming an increasingly difficult task to protect these land parcels from encroachments," explained sources familiar with the matter. The reallocation decision addresses this concern by putting the land to productive use while preventing unauthorized occupation.
Comprehensive Development Opportunities
The newly available land will support a wide range of development projects that have been pending due to land unavailability. These include:
- Educational institutions (schools, colleges, ITIs)
- Anganwadi centers for child development
- Sports complexes and recreational facilities
- Various other infrastructure projects
Several government departments have proposed projects that require land allocation, and this decision will facilitate their implementation. The move represents a strategic shift from land reservation for rehabilitation purposes to active utilization for Gujarat's industrial and social infrastructure development.
This significant land reallocation decision marks an important step in Gujarat's development trajectory, converting previously reserved land into productive assets that will drive industrial growth and support essential public services across multiple districts.
