Nashik District Administration to Initiate Land Acquisition for Railway Project
The Nashik district administration has announced it will begin the formal land acquisition process for the construction of the Manmad-Indore railway tracks starting March 23. This decision comes after prolonged negotiations with local farmers failed to reach an agreement on compensation rates for the properties slated for acquisition.
Failed Negotiations Lead to Administrative Action
Deputy Collector and Land Acquisition Officer Ravindra Bharde confirmed that joint measurement of the proposed land in Nandgaon and Malegaon talukas will commence on March 23. "We will start the joint measurement of the land which has been proposed for acquisition in Nandgaon and Malegaon talukas from March 23," Bharde stated. "This will be done as per the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The measurement, identification, evaluation and making payment will take approximately four months."
Compensation Dispute at the Heart of the Impasse
Administrative officials revealed that discussions with farmers began in June 2025 following the publication of the land acquisition notification under The Railways (Amendment) Act 2008. Despite negotiations continuing through December, farmers remained dissatisfied with the proposed compensation framework.
A senior official explained the core disagreement: "The farmers are demanding a rate of over Rs45 lakh per acre which is not possible given the rates of the Ready Reckoner (RR) of the land and four times the value of the land arrived at as per the Act. The demand is very high and hence the farmers are not ready to give the land."
Comprehensive Acquisition Process Outlined
The administration has detailed a multi-phase acquisition procedure:
- Joint measurement of affected areas beginning March 23
- Definition of exact acquisition boundaries
- Notification to farmers regarding specific agricultural parcels
- Comprehensive valuation by government departments including assessment of:
- Land value
- Structures (houses, wells)
- Irrigation facilities
- Agricultural crops and trees
- Road infrastructure
- Final payment notification to landowners
The official further clarified the legal recourse: "After this is done the farmers will be notified about the final payment and if they fail to accept it the amount will be deposited with the court and compulsory land acquisition will be carried out."
Security Measures and Project Scope
Given the sensitive nature of the acquisition, authorities have requested police protection for the entire process. The railway track alignment affects substantial territory, passing through six villages in Nandgaon taluka and sixteen villages in Malegaon taluka within Nashik district.
The administration emphasizes that all procedures will strictly adhere to the Land Acquisition Act provisions, with the entire process from measurement to potential compulsory acquisition expected to span four months once initiated later this month.
