Samruddhi Mahamarg Project: An Introduction to Package 2.

The second package out of the total five packages in the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg project commences from Amravati district. Package 2 includes Amravati, Washim and Buldhana districts. How many villages from these three districts are to become a part of the 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 scope of the scheme? What is the current status of the purchase of such land? This is a quick review of these various points…

Package 2 of the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Project includes Amravati, Washim and Buldhana districts. The proposed highway will pass through more than 145 villages in these districts. Out of the three districts in Package 2, the highway will be starting from Amravati district. The privately-owned and government-owned land in Amravati, Washim and Buldhana admeasures to an estimated total of 3,300 hectares, all of which is covered under ROW.

About 73 kilometers of the proposed highway passes through Amravati district, about 97 kilometers passes through Washim district, and about 87 kilometers passes through Buldhana district. The land joint measurement survey in Package 2 is 99% 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 about ₹890 crores between the three districts, the direct purchase of land scheme is in full swing. Up until 7th March, 2018 an estimated amount of ₹876 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 2, the classification of the 2,949 hectares of privately-owned land is as follows: Tribal Land – about 14 hectares, Class II Land – about 31 hectares, Gifted Land, Temple Land or Land belonging to the Waqf Board – about 21 hectares, Non-Agricultural Land – about 6 hectares, Land Under Combined Property Dispute – about 223 hectares, Jirayati Land pending to be declared as Bagayati/ semi Bagayati Land – about 117 hectares, Land under Nominee-Appointed-for-Minor Category- about 36 hectares, Sub judice cases of Land Under Dispute – about 84 hectares, Land pending under Combined Measurement – about 143 hectares, Land under Legal Ownership Dispute – about 40 hectares, Land pending for Consent by Co-owners – about 58 hectares, Land pending for Valuation – about 45 hectares, Land stuck in Family Dispute for Allocation of Compensation – about 46 hectares.

Since there are no special rules regarding the purchase and sale of the remaining 2085 hectares of privately-owned land, its acquisition is relatively easier.

Out of the government-owned land under Package 2, around 127 hectares belongs to the Revenue Department, around 37 hectares is occupied by other departments, and around 166 hectares belongs to the Forest Department. The procedure to transfer such government-owned land is under way.

Under Package 2, a total of 3,180 purchases were made in Amravati, Washim and Buldhana districts up until 7th March, 2018. This has resulted into immediate remuneration for a total of 4,547 beneficiaries in the three districts. Statistically speaking, 61% of the purchase procedure has been completed in Amravati and 64% has been completed in Washim and Buldhana districts each.