In times of Covid, land brings Rs 600cr windfall for 27 villages

Gurgaon: The Haryana government has started doling out compensation for acquisition of land for the 46km-long Gurgaon-Pataudi-Rewari national highway to the original owners in 27 villages at their doorsteps. The total amount to be disbursed is Rs 817 crore. The high-speed corridor, being built and fully funded by NHAI, is one of the major infrastructure projects currently under way in NCR.
Of the Rs 817 crore to be disbursed for acquisition of 5,700 acres in 27 villages, officials said, nearly Rs 600 crore has been sanctioned by NHAI. And the first instalment of Rs 100 crore was recently transferred to the account of the district administration for disbursal, which comes as both the central and state governments slowly recover from a crippling blow the lockdown dealt to their coffers.
“Instead of calling villagers to the tehsil office during the pandemic, we are going to each village to settle the claim at their doorsteps,” said district revenue officer Basti Ram. “Initially we are visiting the villages where less land was acquired. Residents of the villages where maximum compensation is to be paid will get the money at a later stage.” Over 5,000 people are expected to get the compensation for land acquisition, officials said. “The exact number of beneficiaries, however, has not yet been calculated. We are preparing the list of beneficiaries village-wise,” Ram said.
NHAI’s project director PK Kaushik said they have already transferred Rs 100 crore compensation and the district authorities are disbursing the same. “Bid for the project has also opened and till date, we have received one response. Evaluation is in progress,” he added.
Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari had laid the foundation stone for the project digitally on July 14. To be built at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore, the highway is expected to be ready by December 2022.
A part of NH-352, this highway, which will start at Hero Honda Chowk in Gurgaon and culminate in Rewari, will have 99 culverts, 12 small bridges, 14 underpasses, including one for pedestrians and small vehicles, two flyovers and one ROB.
A large number of people from Rewari and Pataudi commute to Gurgaon and Delhi and construction of this road will cut short their travel time. “It was a long pending demand of local residents, and the project was delayed due to acquisition of land. All obstacles have been cleared now,” said an official.