Gurgaon Metro Project Land Acquisition Process Accelerates
The land acquisition process for the much-anticipated Gurgaon Metro project has gained significant momentum, marking a crucial step forward in the city's infrastructure development. The first meeting of the newly formed Land Purchase Committee (LPC) was recently convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar, signaling the official commencement of systematic land procurement efforts.
Committee Formation and Initial Proceedings
The nine-member Land Purchase Committee was constituted in January specifically for this project, operating under the Haryana government's policy for private land acquisition through mutual consent. During this inaugural meeting, the committee thoroughly reviewed the detailed land requirements presented by the Gurugram Metropolitan Rail Limited (GMRL), the executing authority for the metro project.
Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar issued specific instructions to the land acquisition officer, directing the completion of joint inspections and prioritizing ownership verification for all land parcels identified for Corridor-1 of the metro network. According to official statements, this preliminary verification process is expected to take approximately one week, with the subsequent LPC meeting scheduled for February 11 to review progress and make further decisions.
Comprehensive Planning for Both Corridors
In a strategic move to streamline the acquisition process, the deputy commissioner has asked GMRL to submit comprehensive land details for Corridor-2 as well. This approach will enable authorities to issue notifications for both corridors simultaneously, potentially accelerating the overall project timeline. GMRL officials have confirmed that all land acquisition notifications will strictly adhere to the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013.
The authority will implement higher compensation norms as stipulated by the new policy, recognizing that more than 30 families are expected to be affected by the acquisition process. Additionally, over 100 structures may need to be acquired along the proposed metro routes, necessitating careful planning and sensitive implementation of rehabilitation measures.
Specific Land Parcels and Unauthorized Constructions
The metro alignment affects several specific areas within Gurgaon. A plot previously allotted by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) in Sector 9 falls directly on the proposed route, where construction activities have already commenced. Furthermore, several residential houses in Sector 4 are located along the corridor, with HSVP having issued preliminary acquisition notices to two plot owners in this sector.
Meanwhile, a separate survey conducted by the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has revealed significant unauthorized construction along the proposed metro corridor. The survey identified 38 houses in Sector 4 and 83 structures in other areas that were built without proper approvals. Officials have indicated that demolition of these unauthorized constructions will begin once the formal land acquisition process is initiated, ensuring proper legal procedures are followed throughout.
Committee Composition and Specialized Expertise
The Land Purchase Committee represents a comprehensive cross-section of relevant government departments and agencies. In addition to Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar as chairman, the committee includes the Additional CEO of GMDA, the Joint Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), the Land Acquisition Officer serving as member secretary, the District Town Planner, the District Revenue Officer, GMRL directors for finance and project planning, and executive engineers from GMDA, the irrigation department, and Public Works Department.
The committee structure also allows for the inclusion of officers from the agriculture and forest departments as special invitees when their expertise is required for accurate valuation of land and other assets. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of land acquisition, from technical valuation to compensation calculation, receive appropriate attention from specialized professionals.
The accelerated land acquisition process represents a significant milestone for the Gurgaon Metro project, which promises to transform urban mobility in one of India's most dynamic metropolitan regions. As the process moves forward, authorities emphasize their commitment to transparent procedures and fair compensation for all affected parties, balancing infrastructure development with social responsibility.
