CMDA looking at alternate site for moffusil bus terminus in Vandalur

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

After 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, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is
now looking at alternate site.

Official sources told Express that CMDA is now looking at an alternate
site which is 500 metres from the existing site to develop it into a
moffusil bus terminus.

Sources told Express that CMDA is looking at alternate site since the
earlier plan to acquire 65.30 acres of land could not be implemented
as notices under Section 4 (1) were not issued before the new land
acquisition act came into being.

Interestingly, government has passed orders on February for acquiring
the land without the knowledge about the Union government act as 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.

The new land acquisition 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.

Interestingly, the earlier 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.

Sources revealed that Kanchipuram collector has furnished revised
compensation payable under rehabilitation and resettlement (TN
Amendment) Act of 2014 including the additional land identified for
contiguous access from the site upto upto Outer ring road.

It is learnt that the compensation nearly two and a half times more
than the present compensation. Interestingly, CMDA has requested the
revenue secretary to allot 88.52 acres of surplus land as alternate
location for the proposed bus terminus.

Sources said that a case is pending against the land. It has been
filed by VGP Housing Private Ltd. Only after the disposal of writ
petition further action can be taken to reserve the land in favour of
CMDA, sources added.