Nashik Ring Road Land Acquisition: Minister Forms Committee to Address Farmer Concerns
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has directed the Nashik district administration to establish a committee to resolve pressing issues raised by farmers regarding the land acquisition process for the city's upcoming ring road. This critical infrastructure project is slated for completion before the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, making timely resolution of these disputes essential.
Committee to Investigate Land Measurement Discrepancies
The committee will be headed by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Igatpuri-Trimbakeshwar and will include the Tahsildar and land records officer. Its primary mandate is to ascertain the exact status of land currently held by the Public Works Department (PWD) and address inconsistencies in land measurement that have sparked farmer protests.
District Collector Ayush Prasad highlighted the core problem: "We are facing issues on identifying the strip, which is currently with the PWD, and the quantum of land to be acquired from farmers so that they can get the payment accordingly." This confusion stems from discrepancies between the land areas farmers claim are being acquired and the smaller areas recorded in official documents.
Farmer Grievances Across Multiple Talukas
Farmers in Igatpuri and Trimbakeshwar talukas have voiced significant concerns, alleging that the actual land earmarked for acquisition is substantially larger than what appears in government records. Collector Prasad explained this anomaly: "This usually happens from improperly marked dimensions of the roads and also because the strip narrows down significantly. This results in a lack of uniformity of the land that is with the PWD." Due to these irregularities, affected farmers sought direct intervention from Revenue Minister Bawankule.
Similar issues, though on a smaller scale, have emerged in Dindori and Sinnar talukas. Farmers in these regions have also approached the PWD and the revenue minister, prompting the formation of the committee to conduct a thorough review. The minister has mandated that a detailed report on the fresh land acquisition status be submitted promptly to expedite the resolution process.
Urgent Action Ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela
The construction of the Nashik ring road is a high-priority project intended to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity in anticipation of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The committee's findings will be crucial in ensuring fair compensation for farmers and preventing delays that could impact the project's timeline. This move underscores the administration's commitment to addressing grassroots concerns while advancing essential urban infrastructure development.
