Nashik Ring Road Land Survey to Proceed Under Police Protection in Four Villages
In a significant development for Nashik's infrastructure expansion, the district administration has announced it will conduct joint land measurement operations under police protection in at least four of the twenty-five villages designated for the proposed ring road project. District Collector Ayush Prasad confirmed this decision, citing persistent resistance from farmers in certain areas who have been obstructing the crucial survey process.
Security Measures for Survey Operations
Collector Ayush Prasad stated, "There is resistance in a few villages where farmers are not allowing us to carry out the joint measurement. We will, therefore, have to seek police protection before carrying out the process." The villages specifically identified for these protected survey operations include Pimpalgaon Khamb and Pimpalgaon Bahula, which fall under the jurisdiction of Nashik City Police, along with Moongsare and Matori villages under Nashik Rural Police supervision.
In Moongsare village, the administration has already taken legal action by registering a First Information Report (FIR) against individuals who have been actively disrupting the measurement process. This demonstrates the administration's firm approach to ensuring the project's progress despite local opposition.
Current Status of Land Survey Operations
The comprehensive land survey and joint measurement process has already been successfully completed in seven villages. Currently, officials are finalizing the valuation of land and properties in these areas. In another ten villages, joint measurement has been conducted, with allied administrative processes scheduled for completion by next week.
However, challenges persist in several locations. In two villages, joint measurement operations are pending due to recent changes in the road alignment plan. Additionally, two other villages fall under the Panchayat Extension of Scheduled Areas Act, requiring special procedural adherence that is currently being followed.
Project Specifications and Timeline
The ambitious 66.5-kilometer ring road, valued at an impressive Rs 7,613 crore, is being executed by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation. The project requires acquisition of approximately 386 hectares of land spread across six talukas: Igatpuri, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Dindori, Niphad, and Sinnar.
A critical deadline looms for this infrastructure project. The ring road must be operational before the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the massive religious festival that will bring unprecedented traffic to Nashik city. Once completed, the road will encircle the city, passing through both rural areas and municipal limits to alleviate the expected traffic congestion during the festival period.
Land Acquisition and Funding Structure
The land acquisition process follows a direct purchase model from farmers, ensuring they receive a substantial 25% premium on the sale value of their land. This approach aims to make the acquisition process more equitable for landowners affected by the project.
Funding for this massive infrastructure undertaking comes from multiple sources. While the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will cover construction costs, the Maharashtra state government is responsible for funding the land acquisition component. This collaborative financial structure underscores the project's importance at both state and national levels.
The ring road represents a transformative infrastructure project for Nashik, designed not only to manage festival traffic but to create lasting transportation improvements for the growing city. The administration's decision to proceed with police-protected surveys indicates their determination to overcome local resistance and keep the project on schedule for its critical deadline.
