Bullet train project: Sena opposes land acquisition
After strongly opposing the petrochemical project at Nanar in Konkan, Shiv Sena has now decided to oppose land acquisition process for Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train in Palghar district. Sena has threatened to protest on road on June 3 and will support public hearing organised by Bullet Train Virodhi Janmanch and Bhumi Adhikar Andolan (BAA).
Social activist and chief of Ulkah Mahajan recently met Uddhav Thackeray and Jayant Patil, state president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to seek their support to protest against land acquisition for the bullet train. "The state government has diluted the provisions on law which has protected rights of tribal. Now, the state can grab land in schedule fifth or in tribal land for any development projects. Several villages in Palghar district are affecting due to high speed bullet train and Mumbai-Badodara highway," said Mahajan. She said, "BAA is preparing assessment report on displacement of the people and will be presented in Jan Sunwai on June 3 in presence of Project Affected Peopl (PAP) and political party leaders."
Ramakant Patil, another leader of Bullet Train Virodhi Janmanch said, "It is strategy to aware people about the displacement. The officials of state government and National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) have started process of land acquisition. However, as they are facing resistance from PAP, they have focused on salt pan land which is under government control to acquire for the project.
Patil further added, "The government machinery are offering rate to the land through negotiation. Janmanch want people to be alert and oppose the project."
A total of 1500 hectares land will be required for the project from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Out of which, 350 hectares will be from Maharashtra and 65 hectares from 28 villages will be from Palghar district. 26 villages has been issued notice of land acquisition. A total of 108 villages and more than 10,000 people from Thane and Palghar will be affected.