Package 3: Samruddhi Mahamarg Project: An Introduction

The Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Project comprises of a total of 5 packages, of which the first package rolls out in the Vidarbha region. Package 3 includes Jalna and Aurangabad districts. How many villages from these two districts are to become a part of this grand proposed highway scheme? What is the total land area that is proposed to be merged into the highway? What is the classification of the relevant land that comes under the purview of the scheme? What is the current situation with respect to the purchase and sale of such land? This is a quick review of these various points…

Package 3 of the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Project includes Jalna and Aurangabad districts. The proposed highway will pass through 85 villages in these districts. The Interchange at Shivmadka in Nagpur will be the starting point of the highway. The privately-owned and government-owned land in the two districts collectively admeasures to an estimated total of 1,853 hectares, all of which is covered under ROW.

About 42 kilometers of the proposed highway passes through Jalna district, and about 112 kilometers passes through Aurangabad district. The land joint measurement (survey) in Package 3 is a hundred percent complete. Those who have voluntarily offered their piece of land for the Samruddhi Mahamarg Project are being promptly compensated. With a combined total funding of ₹1,258 crores between both the districts, the direct purchase of land scheme is in full swing. Up until 7th April, 2018 an estimated amount of ₹1,202 crores out of the total funding has already been distributed among the beneficiaries.

The Mahamarg model includes various types of land. If we simply consider Package 3, the classification of the 1670 hectares of privately-owned land is as follows: Class II Land – about 75 hectares, inam and vakf board land – about 14 hectares, Non-Agricultural Land – about 9 hectares, MIDC land – about 9 hectares, Jirayati Land pending to be declared as Bagayati /semi Bagayati Land is about 80 hectares, minor owner land – about 6 hectares, problem in land procurement process –about 33 hectares, Sub judice cases of land under dispute – about 59 hectares, land measurement pending – about 181 hectares, problem in deciding land owners – about 40hectares, no consent from joint owner – about 0.88 hectares, problems in measurement of land – about 40 hectares, family problem disputed land – about 3 hectares, Since there are no special rules regarding the purchase and sale of the remaining 1115 hectares of privately-owned land, its acquisition is relatively easier.

Out of the government-owned land under Package 3, around 128 hectares belongs to the Revenue Department, around 9 hectares is occupied by other departments, and around 26 hectares belongs to the Forest Department. The procedure to transfer such government-owned land is under way.

Under Package 3, a total of 1998 purchases were made in Nagpur and Wardha districts up until 7th April, 2018. This has resulted into immediate remuneration for a total of 2,076 beneficiaries in the two districts. Statistically speaking, 64% of the purchase procedure has been completed in Jalna and 62% has been completed in Aurangabad.