Way towards Prosperity is through Transparency

After the announcement of Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, in the initial phase of this project, it was understood by MSRDC that due to lack of information, there was some resistance for the project from the rural areas. Therefore, MSRDC with the help of the ground communication team and village level communicators, tried to engage in conversations directly with the people. This helped increase the participation of people in the project. How did this change happen? This blog explains

As soon as honorable Chief Minister made an announcement about Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg in the state assembly, the news reached the masses through the media. People received incomplete information and hence, people from rural parts of Maharashtra whose lands were going to be a part of this project, strongly opposed the entire project in the initial stage.

Officers in MSRDC, who were responsible for the execution of this project, identified the reason for this initial opposition and started the process of direct communication with the people. For this process, communicators were appointed in each and every village. The communicators visited every family whose land was going to be a part of the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg and explained the project and made a representation on behalf of the administration. As a result, a majority of the land owners came forward readily and supported the Joint Measurement Survey. During the survey, the measurement of land along with the other allied property was carried out.

In this first phase, many land owners made some valuable suggestions to MSRDC. At this time, the biggest challenge in front of MSRDC was to take this project forward with the participation of every stakeholder. After the land measurement, the landowners had queries about the compensation they would get, when and how they would get it.

In this second phase, in addition to the communicators, MSRDC took another step forward for communicating the proper information to the public through social media and the website. On the insistence of many landowners for direct purchase of land, MSRDC put forward a system of land acquisition with multiple options. MSRDC announced that by taking one of the three options of Land Pooling Scheme (LPS), Direct Purchase Scheme (DPS) and Land Acquisition (LAAR 2013), the land owners could become beneficiaries of this project. People welcomed these options, ready to part with their land and readily signed the agreement letters. In many places it was observed that people took initiative to be a part of this process, by completing the paper work required for this transaction of land purchase.

Till 22nd December 2017, in a period of about 5 to 6 months, 36% of privately owned land required for this project had been purchased. For this land, an amount nearing to Rs. 2395 crores was transferred instantly into beneficiary accounts. Not only this, till 22nd December 2017, 10,264 landowners are willing to give their land for the project on their own accord. MSRDC will soon start the project execution after completing the process of land purchase.

One must say that it is the transparent procedures adopted by MSRDC that has helped the project gain momentum.