Ghaziabad District Magistrate Inspects Expressway Land Dispute After Farmer Protests
District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mander conducted a critical site inspection in Talheta village, Modinagar, on Monday following persistent complaints from local farmers. The agricultural community alleges they have not received proper compensation for soil excavated from their fields during construction of Phase 5 of the Delhi–Meerut Expressway (DME).
Expressway Project Details and Farmer Grievances
Phase 5 of the expressway represents a significant 15-kilometer, four-lane connector project stretching from Zainuddinpur in Hapur district to Jahidpur in Rampur. This crucial segment links the main 96-kilometer operational carriageway with the Meerut–Hapur Highway, enhancing regional connectivity.
During recent public hearings, Talheta farmers presented evidence that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) contractors excavated substantial amounts of earth from their agricultural lands for expressway construction. According to the farmers, neither proper refilling of the excavated areas nor adequate compensation payments have been made, despite repeated assurances.
History of Protests and Administrative Response
This dispute represents an ongoing struggle for the farming community. In January, farmers staged a month-long protest over similar compensation issues, only calling off their demonstration after receiving assurances from local administrative officers. The situation escalated again on Sunday when protesters organized a sit-in demonstration at the Talheta roundabout, reiterating their demands for fair treatment.
"We only want our land to be measured properly and payment to be made before any further possession," emphasized one farmer during Monday's inspection, capturing the community's fundamental demand.
Official Actions and Commitments
During the inspection, District Magistrate Mander made several important declarations. "If soil was excavated, the farmers must be compensated as per rules. Measurement of the village land will be carried out in accordance with procedure," he stated unequivocally. The magistrate observed that soil-filling work had already commenced in some areas around the time of his visit.
Mander issued directives to officials to ensure strict adherence to due process and prompt resolution of all pending compensation matters. Sub-divisional magistrate of Modinagar, Ajeet Singh, clarified to reporters that a contractor hired by NHAI had performed the excavation work. "The contractor has now been instructed to refill the land with soil wherever excavation was done within 60 days," Singh confirmed.
Additional Infrastructure Concerns Raised
Beyond compensation issues, farmers highlighted significant infrastructure deficiencies affecting their daily operations. They reported that inadequate entry and exit points to the expressway create substantial inconvenience for transporting agricultural produce to markets.
Farmer leader Kuldeep Tyagi accompanied District Magistrate Mander on a motorcycle tour, demonstrating the connectivity challenges along the Modinagar to Talheta–Kharkhauda road. Tyagi detailed the practical difficulties local residents face due to the current expressway design limitations.
The district magistrate also took the opportunity to review the quality of ongoing construction work in Talheta village, ensuring that all aspects of the project meet appropriate standards while addressing community concerns comprehensively.
