Admn survey for illegal excavation skips govt land

Nagpur: The survey being conducted by the Wardha district administration into the unauthorized excavation of ‘murrum’ and destruction of lands owned by the state government and private persons has come under the scanner. The survey conducted at mouza Itala in Selu tehsil has allegedly skipped land owned by the government which has been excavated by the companies.
The unauthorized excavations were carried out by Mumbai-based Afcons Infrastructure and its petty contractors for the construction of 59km stretch of Samruddhi Mahamarg.
Following newspaper reports and a complaint by Hyderabad-based Cozy Properties Private Limited, Wardha collector Vivek Bhimanwar had ordered an inquiry into the excavation done by the companies for ‘murrum’ in all villages along and near Samruddhi Corridor.
A team of Selu tehsil surveyed three villages — Itala, Kotumba and Giroli. Based on the survey, notices were also issued to Afcons and its petty contractors.
In mouza Itala, the team found illegal excavation and destruction to nine private properties and zudpi jungle owned by the government. As per information available from villagers, another land in the village, owned by the state government, too was excavated for ‘murrum’.
“The inquiry mentions about only Survey No 7 which is reserved for zudpi jungle. Government owes another land with Survey No 230 at the village. It covers 21.01 acres (8.51 hectare). Excavation of murrum was also done in a part of this land. But this land is not mentioned in the inquiry and also the notice issued to Afcons and its petty contractor,” said villagers on the condition of anonymity.
Sub divisional officer Uttam Dighe said, “I have directed the officials to inspect the land in question and submit a report. Excavation has been done in many land parcels. Identification of each land is going on. Inquiry will be done thoroughly,” he said.
The MSRDC is constructing 59km stretch of Samruddhi Mahamarg in Wardha district. The stretch passes through jurisdiction of 34 villages of which 16 in Selu tehsil, 10 in Wardha and 8 in Arvi. Inquiry is going on in all villages.
The measurement of illegally excavated land owned by Cozy Properties has been completed. The report is likely to be released in a day or two.