Package 4 : 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 4 includes Ahmadnagar and Nashik 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 4 of the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Project includes Ahmadnagar and Nashik districts. The proposed highway will pass through 55 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 1,624 hectares, all of which is covered under(ROW)

About 29 kilometers of the proposed highway passes through Ahmadnagar district, and about 101 kilometers passes through Nashik district. The land joint measurement (survey) in Package 4 is 98% 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 ₹1,018 crores between both the districts, the direct purchase of land scheme is in full swing. Up until 4th May, 2018 an estimated amount of ₹996 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 4, the classification of the 1423 hectares of privately-owned land is as follows: Tribal land – about 8 hectares, Class II Land – about 6 hectares, inam and vakf board land – about 17 hectares, Non-Agricultural Land – about 5 hectares, MIDC land – about 9 hectares, Jirayati Land pending to be declared as Bagayati /semi Bagayati Land is about 116 hectares, minor owner land – about 6 hectares, problem in land procurement process –about 54 hectares, Sub judice cases of land under dispute – about 49 hectares, land measurement pending – about 131 hectares, problem in deciding land owners – about 39 hectares, no consent from joint owner – about 35 hectares, problems in measurement of land – about 16 hectares, family problem disputed land – about 83 hectares, Since there are no special rules regarding the purchase and sale of the remaining 858 hectares of privately-owned land, its acquisition is relatively easier.

Out of the government-owned land under Package 4, around 3 hectares belongs to the Revenue Department, around 90 hectares is occupied by other departments, and around 62 hectares belongs to the Forest Department. The procedure to transfer such government-owned land is under way.

Under Package 4, a total of 1727 purchases were made in Ahmadnagar and Nashik districts up until 4th May, 2018. This has resulted into immediate remuneration for a total of 4,849 beneficiaries in the two districts. Statistically speaking, 71% of the purchase procedure has been completed in Ahmadnagar and 64% has been completed in Nashik.