The land acquisition department is currently addressing concerns raised by landowners from Islampur and Basai villages regarding the Old Gurgaon Metro project. As land acquisition accelerates, several property owners are demanding employment opportunities within the metro project, alternative plots, and increased compensation for surrendering their land.
Demands for Higher Compensation
Residents from both villages have pressed for higher compensation, arguing that existing rates fail to reflect the commercial value of their land. Their demands have been submitted to the land acquisition department, which is expected to present the matter to the Gurgaon deputy commissioner-led land purchase committee (LPC), established under the Haryana government's land purchase policy for the metro project. The nine-member LPC was formed in January 2026.
An official stated, "A key demand raised by the landowners is employment for one member from each affected family in GMRL or the metro project. They argued that acquisition of ancestral land would impact their long-term livelihood and that job opportunities should be provided as part of the rehabilitation package."
Land Required for Metro Corridor
According to officials, approximately 10,883 square metres of land is needed from Kanhai, Islampur, and Basai villages for the proposed metro corridor. In Kanhai village, about 534 square metres of land belonging to Fortis Hospital in Sector 44 is required for constructing the Millennium City Centre metro station. This land is currently used as a parking area by the hospital.
The land acquisition department recently sought responses from affected landowners in Islampur and Basai villages. In a joint representation to the land acquisition officer, 11 landowners from Islampur village expressed willingness to part with their land but requested either alternative plots or compensation based on prevailing market rates in Sector 33.
- Landowners from Islampur include Rakesh Kumar, Jawahar Singh, Dharmveer Singh, Rajbeer Singh, Rambeer Singh, Pratap Singh, Suraj Bhan, Jagdish Singh, Deepak Kumar, Shribhagwan, and Bhim Singh.
- Dharmbeer, Vijaypal, Satbeer, Rajbeer, Mukesh, and Mohit stated that the land has been in their families for generations and sought compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh per square yard or allotment of alternative land.
- Ramrati, a resident of Basai village, demanded compensation of Rs 5 lakh per square yard, citing her land's location on the main road.
- Other villagers, including Bhagwan Singh, Rajendra, Omprakash, and Mukesh, expressed concerns that acquisition could leave several families without homes and sources of income.
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Concerns
The residents urged authorities to ensure proper rehabilitation and resettlement before finalising the acquisition process. They emphasized that any decision should consider the affected families' right to housing and livelihood security and should not be taken unilaterally.
Officials stated that the representations from landowners would be examined and placed before the district-level committee for consideration. The committee is expected to decide on the demands while finalising land procurement for the metro project.
Land Purchase Committee Composition
The LPC members include the additional CEO of GMDA, joint commissioner of MCG, land acquisition officer as member secretary, district town planner, district revenue officer, GMRL directors for finance and project planning, and executive engineers from GMDA, irrigation department, and PWD. Officers from agriculture and forest departments may be included as special invitees for valuation of land and other assets.
The authority will purchase land based on higher compensation norms as per the new policy, as more than 30 families are expected to be affected and over 100 structures may need to be acquired.
Additional Challenges
A plot allotted by HSVP in Sector 9 also falls on the route, where construction has already begun. Several houses in Sector 4 are located along the corridor, and HSVP has issued notices to two plot owners regarding acquisition. Meanwhile, a GMDA officer revealed that a survey found 38 houses in Sector 4 and 83 in other areas were unauthorised constructions built without approval. Officials said demolition will begin after the land acquisition process starts.
