Samruddhi Mahamarg Project: An Introduction to Package 1

The Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Project comprises of a total of 5 packages, of which the first package rolls out in the Vidarbha region. Package 1 includes Nagpur and Wardha 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 pointsâ€Ķ

Package 1 of the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Project includes Nagpur and Wardha 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 1,043 hectares, all of which is covered under ROW.

About 28 kilometers of the proposed highway passes through Nagpur district, and about 60 kilometers passes through Wardha district. The land joint measurement survey in Package 1 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 â‚đ570 crores between both the districts, the direct purchase of land scheme is in full swing.

Up until 12th February 2018 an estimated amount of â‚đ541 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 1, the classification of the 805 hectares of privately-owned land is as follows: Tribal Land – about 69 hectares, Class II Land – about 40 hectares, Private Forest Land – about 8 hectares, Non-Agricultural Land – about 15 hectares, Jirayati Land pending to be declared as Bagayati /semi Bagayati Land – about 31 hectares, Sub judice cases of land under dispute – about 15 hectares. Since there are no special rules regarding the purchase and sale of the remaining 627 hectares of privately-owned land, its acquisition is relatively easier.

Out of the government-owned land under Package 1, around 87 hectares belong to the Revenue Department, around 99 hectares is occupied by other departments, and around 50 hectares belongs to the Forest Department. The procedure to transfer such government-owned land is under way.

Under Package 1, a total of 892 purchases were made in Nagpur and Wardha districts up until 12th February, 2018. This has resulted into immediate remuneration for a total of 1,860 beneficiaries in the two districts. Statistically speaking, 86% of the purchase procedure has been completed in Nagpur and 73% has been completed in Wardha. Considering the scope of all 5 Packages, this is by far the most amount of land purchased.