C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The plan to acquire 65.30 acres of
land to construct moffusil bus terminal in Vandalur has hit a roadblock after
the Union government’s new land acquisition act came into force from the
beginning of New Year.
Sources told Express that since notices
under Section 4 (1) for land unacquisition under old act were not issued before the new land acquisition act came
into being as such the state now has to follow the new act. Interestingly,
government has passed orders on February for acquiring the land without the
knowledge about the Union government act.
Sources said it was a serious lapse
on part of the officials who without application of mind drafted the Government
Order. Now the three GOs are likely to
be forced to be cancelled.
Interestingly, the new act which replaced
the 119-year-old obsolete legislation proposes a unified policy for acquisition
of land and adequate rehabilitation mechanism for all affected persons.
Sources told Express that now state
has to go all over again and it would take time to start the acquisition as a
number of rules will have to be drafted both by the Centre and the states and
also invite comment from stakeholders including industries, NGOs and civil
society.
Interestingly, Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority has prepared Rs 376 crore blueprint for the construction
of moffusil bus terminus in Vandalur and
acquisition of 65.30 acre of land. These include proposed land cost at Rs 1.75
crore per acre and the proposed development cost at Rs 4 crore per acre besides
preparation of detailed project report by the consultant. Fifty per cent of the
fund is likely to be spent on infrastructure and amenities.
Sources said that now the cost has
to be reworked. The new act states that the Act proposes the payment of
compensations that are up to four times the market value in rural areas and
twice the market value in urban areas. It also states that the acquisition of
agricultural land and multi-crop land has to be carried out as a last resort.
There will be definite restrictions on the extent of acquisition of such land
in every state to be determined by the States concerned, the act states.
Interestingly, the site identified
for the moffusil bus terminus is classified as wetland and it is geographically
placed at a strategic location in view of its proximity to NH45 (GST Road) and
Outer Ring Road. The site abuts Vandalur-Walajabad
State Highway and is about 1 km from National Highway 45 and 250 metre from ORR.
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