Won’t give land for Katra-Delhi Expressway, say Punjab farmers

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 26

The acquisition of land for the Katra-Delhi Expressway is likely to face a stiff resistance in Punjab. Amid farmers’ protest at Delhi borders, members of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee today announced not to allow the NHAI acquire land for the purpose.

“When the Centre is not ready to accept our demand, why would we allow them to acquire our land? Nearly 14,000 acres of land is to be acquired in Punjab and most owners have unanimously decided not to allow it,” said Jagjit Singh, Jalandhar unit head of the committee.

Union activist and farmer BS Atwal said, “Even the acquisition process is riddled with anomalies. We are not getting adequate compensation. A part of my land was acquired for the laying of a CNG pipeline in 2014 for Rs 82 lakh per acre. For the expressway, the authorities are paying me Rs 25 lakh per acre, which is not acceptable.”

Sukhwinder Singh from Singhian village said, “The project will split my chunk of land. How will I carry out farm operations on the other side of the expressway? The authorities have not shown us any plan. They have not even invited objections.”

Jagjit Singh said land in nearly 35 villages of Jalandhar was under the acquisition plan. “We had met the SDM concerned and gave him a written representation. He has so far not assured us any help,” he said, alleging that the administration had reduced the collector rates of the land to be acquired.

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