Gaya Land Compensation Dispute Resolved for Amas-Darbhanga Highway
The protracted issue of compensation for land acquired for the Amas-Darbhanga National Highway (NH-119D) in Gaya has finally been settled, thanks to the decisive intervention of District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar. This resolution comes after years of delay that had stalled a critical 3-kilometer stretch of the highway project.
Stalled Construction and Land Ownership Dispute
Construction on a 3-kilometer segment in Amas block, adjacent to NH-2 under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, had been halted for an extended period. The primary obstacle was that land belonging to 18 owners from Kaj and Hasanpur mauzas was erroneously recorded as government property. This administrative error prevented the registration of the land and, consequently, delayed the disbursement of compensation to the rightful owners.
The DM initiated a formal hearing on the matter after recognizing that the project's execution was being significantly impeded. The highway project, which is now expected to be completed by December of this year, is a crucial infrastructure development for the region.
DM's Intervention and Order
Following a thorough review of the case, DM Shashank Shubhankar approved the registration of the land belonging to the 18 owners, thereby making them eligible for compensation. In his official order, he directed the landowners to submit all necessary and relevant documents to the district land acquisition office within a strict timeframe.
The order mandates that the compensation process must commence within seven days of document submission. The beneficiaries of this decision include seven landowners from Kaj mauza and one from Hasanpur mauza.
Expediting Compensation and Project Timeline
To ensure no further delays, the DM has also instructed the district land acquisition officer to expedite the disbursement of compensation funds. This swift action is intended to allow work on the pending stretch to resume promptly, keeping the project on track for its year-end completion deadline.
The 189-kilometer four-lane expressway is designed to connect several key districts, including Aurangabad, Gaya, Jehanabad, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur, and Darbhanga. Upon completion, the project aims to significantly reduce travel time between northern and southern Bihar, enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activity in the region.
Broader Implications for Infrastructure Development
This resolution highlights the importance of efficient administrative processes in large-scale infrastructure projects. The timely intervention by the district administration not only addresses the grievances of landowners but also ensures that a vital national project can proceed without further obstruction.
The Amas-Darbhanga highway is a key component of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, which focuses on improving road connectivity across India. The successful resolution of this land compensation issue in Gaya sets a positive precedent for similar projects facing bureaucratic or legal hurdles in other parts of the country.
