Barnala farmers halt Bharatmala work, begin indefinite stir over compensation

Farmers under the banner of the Road Sangharsh Committee have halted work on the under-construction Bharatmala highway project across 12 villages in Barnala district and launched an indefinite protest, demanding enhanced compensation for acquired land.

Kulwant Singh, vice-president of the committee, said the agitation had the backing of several farmer groups and local organisations.

“We are staging an indefinite protest in all 12 villages where land has been acquired for the project. We are demanding compensation of Rs 80 lakh per acre, on a par with adjoining Ludhiana district, but we are being given only Rs 58 lakh per acre,” he said.

He added that the initial compensation was Rs 50 lakh per acre and was raised by Rs 8 lakh only after a legal battle.

“We will not allow work to resume until we receive written assurance that we will be paid Rs 80 lakh per acre,” he asserted.

According to the committee, around 500 acres have been acquired for the project in Barnala district. The affected villages include Gagewal, Ramgarh, Vidhate, Moom and Gehal.

“It was also decided that farmers whose land parcels were split into two due to the project would receive Rs 9 lakh per acre as compensation, but nothing has been paid so far,” the committee said.

Farmers said the dispute dated back to 2021 and remained unresolved.

Deputy Commissioner Harpreet Singh said the farmers were seeking compensation at rates applicable in Ludhiana. “The base rate in Ludhiana has reportedly been increased, and they want similar rates here. However, compensation in Barnala has been calculated as per the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, which differs from their demand,” he said.

He added that the District Revenue Officer (DRO) had been deputed to engage with the protesting farmers and resolve the issue.