Nanded–Jalna Expressway Land Acquisition: Maharashtra Mulls Samruddhi Model For Compensation

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has instructed officials to explore a compensation formula for land acquisition along the proposed Nanded–Jalna Expressway, drawing comparisons with the package offered for the Nagpur–Mumbai Samruddhi Highway.

Speaking at a review meeting in the ministry hall, attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) Milind Mhaiskar, MLAs Arjun Khotkar, Narayan Kuche, Kailash Gaurantyal, as well as local representatives and officials via video conferencing, Bawankule said compensation must be equitable and acceptable to farmers.

He noted that two options should be considered. Either adopting the Samruddhi model, or calculating the highest purchase deed rate from the three years preceding the acquisition notification, with a 10 per cent increase applied annually.

Out of these two options, the district administration should submit a proposal according to the rate acceptable to the farmers, the minister directed.

He further suggested that land near Jalna city, where market prices are higher, could be eligible for a Sanugrah subsidy. He also emphasised that a plan must be drawn up for compensating orchards and houses affected by the project.

The meeting also discussed broader issues of land valuation, tree loss, hut regularisation and resettlement. Bawankule underlined the need to extend fair relief to all affected stakeholders.

On urban housing, he ordered a survey of slum settlements across municipal areas of the district. Houses built prior to 2011 should be regularised, and leases allotted under the Housing for All scheme.

Drawing from Nagpur’s model, he instructed district collectors to immediately take decisions on matters within their jurisdiction and send proposals to the government on the cases that need to be sent.

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