Curation Team
GHAZIABAD: Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) started land acquisition for the Harnandipuram project. Land compensation totalling more than Rs 5 crore has been given out to around 25 farmers, so far.
GDA vice chairperson Atul Vats told TOI, “Land acquisition for any project can be tricky, and for its Harnandipuram township project, GDA needs to acquire 336 hectares from five villages. The process has started, and the sale deed worth Rs 43 lakh was recently executed for 759 sqm of land in Nangla Feroze Mohan Nagar between GDA and owner Ruby, who technically became the first landowner to part with the land for the township.”
In the last month, over 25 farmers have come forward and executed sale deeds worth over Rs 5 crore.
“This is a good start, which also means that more farmers will be encouraged to come forward. The committee headed by the DM to decide on land rates for Harnandipuram was decided, which was four times the DM circle rates as per the Land Acquisition (Rehabilitation & Resettlement) Act, 2013. However, we are also open to mutually agreed rates,” Vats said.
The estimated cost of land acquisition is Rs 2,384 crore, which includes 7% stamp duty and 1% registration charge. The five villages selected for acquisition are Mathurapur, Shamsher, Champatnagar, Bhanera-Khurd, and Nangla Feroze Mohan Nagar. Compensation structure will vary across villages because of the difference in circle rates.
Farmers in Mathurapur, where 14 hectares will be acquired, will receive Rs 4,080 per sqm against the current rate of Rs 1,020. In Shamsher, where 86 hectares are needed, farmers will get Rs 6,760 per sqm, up from the existing Rs 1,690. Champatnagar farmers, who will part with 33 hectares, will receive Rs 4,040 per sqm compared to the current Rs 1,010. For Bhanera-Khurd’s 9 hectares, the compensation rate was set at Rs 4,240 per sqm, up from Rs 1,060. The largest land acquisition of 192 hectares from Nangla Feroze Mohan Nagar will be compensated at Rs 7,200 per sqm, up from the existing Rs 1,800.The state govt has allocated a budget of Rs 400 crore under the CM Urban Expansion New City Promotion Scheme for the development of the Harnandipuram township.
Land acquisition will be done in phases. In the first phase, 336 hectares will be acquired from five villages. The township is planned to come up in an area of 521 hectares.
