Gujarat Government Approves Reallocation of Unused Narmada Dam Land for Industrial Purposes
In a significant move aimed at boosting industrial growth and infrastructure development, the Gujarat government has taken an in-principle decision to reallocate 6,247 hectares of unused land that was originally reserved for the relief and rehabilitation of persons displaced by the Narmada dam project. This decision, reported by Kapil Dave, was made during a recent cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar, marking a strategic shift in land utilization policy.
Cabinet Presentation Leads to Strategic Decision
A detailed presentation was made at Wednesday's cabinet meeting, highlighting the potential benefits of transferring this unused land. Following thorough discussions, the cabinet approved the in-principle decision to transfer the land, which is spread across 40 talukas in nine districts, to the revenue department. This department will now be responsible for allocating the land for various industrial and development projects, as confirmed by top government sources.
District-Wise Breakdown of Reserved Land
The unused land reserved for Narmada dam project rehabilitation is distributed unevenly across the districts, with Vadodara holding the largest share. Here is a breakdown of the land allocation by district:
- Vadodara: 1,347.77 hectares
- 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
Addressing Land Acquisition Challenges for Development Projects
Government sources have indicated that numerous departments have been facing delays in land acquisition for critical projects, including industrial estates, Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and other development initiatives. With this reallocation, land will now be readily available, streamlining the process and accelerating project implementation. "Land will now be readily available for various projects of government departments," official sources emphasized, highlighting the practical benefits of this decision.
Urban Expansion and Protection from Encroachments
Over the years, many of these reserved land parcels have become integrated within expanding city limits due to urban growth. This has posed significant challenges in protecting the land from encroachments. Government officials noted that "it is becoming an increasingly difficult task of protecting these land parcels from encroachments." By reallocating the land for productive use, such as building schools, colleges, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), anganwadis, and sports complexes, the government aims to not only prevent illegal occupation but also meet the growing demand for land from various departments awaiting approval for their proposed projects.
This strategic reallocation is expected to foster industrial development, enhance public infrastructure, and support the state's broader economic goals, while addressing long-standing land management issues.
