TURA: Nokmas of different A’kings and localities along with the Tura to Dalu NH-51 road have opposed the fresh land survey conducted by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) which has been tasked with construction and widening of the said road to double lane.
In their memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the village heads informed that there was no need for conduct of a fresh survey by NHIDCL as the district administration of West Garo Hills along with other departments including the PWD and District Council had already completed the process, which was accepted by all landowners.
The Nokmas claimed that as per the earlier survey, the measurement taken for the width of the road was 24 metres, while the new survey taken by NHIDCL has increased it to 30 metres. They pointed to the recently constructed NH-44E (Shillong-Nongstoin-Jengjal-Tura) road which is also 24 metres in width and considered for compensation.
“NHIDCL has come up with a different policy to avoid the whole process by rejecting the earlier measurement excluding both sides of the road and now, as per latest NHIDCL survey, it has became zero metre in area of maximum genuine land owners whereby we are losing our financial benefits which is illegal, an injustice and against our will and acceptance. We are going to lose our benefits due to such random re-survey works carried out by the NHIDCL. We want to question as to how and why the earlier survey/measurement has been changed and become zero in area. The earlier survey team has said that the width will be 24 metres and now it has become 30 metres,” they said.
The Nokmas said that while they appreciated and welcome the government’s move to make the road into a double lane which will tremendously benefit the people, they urged the government to stick to the measurement taken in the earlier survey.
“We agree to give the old existing road of 3.5 metres free of cost as we have not been paid any compensation. However, it is regretted to mention that the Nokmas and the bonafide land owners have decided not to give our land and properties for the purpose of widening the NH-51 road until and unless our demand is fulfilled at the earliest. Every inch of land belongs to us and cannot be taken over forcibly by any department without payment for the whole acquired land and properties as per law of the land,” they reiterated.
The Nokmas also claimed that the names of some individuals who had parted with their lands during the survey were missing from the list.
“We have certified and recommended them in order to process L.A paper proceeding without leaving out anybody in the list of payment of compensation. However, some individuals and families who had also submitted pattas of residential houses, shops and gardens from Tura Chunmati area have been found missing from the list. Therefore, we will only agree to accept the earlier measurement,” the Nokmas said.
With regard to compensation, the Nokmas sought that payment is made for 24 metres of the acquired area on both sides of the road in keeping with the ‘Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013’.
Stating that the State and the National Highway PWD Department was capable of undertaking the project, the Nokmas demanded that the NHIDCL is no longer allowed to continue with the project and the same be given to the concerned department within the state.
