Farmers raise concerns over goods train project in Gujarat, says they won’t ‘give an inch of land’ for project

Farmers raise concerns over goods train project in Gujarat, says they won’t ‘give an inch of land’ for project

The local farmers’ body in Gujarat, Khedut Samaj Gujarat (KSG), has reported that farmers affected by the central government’s goods train project between Hazira and Gothan in the Surat district have unanimously decided not to give up their land for the project.

According to KSG, meetings were held over two days with attendees from 17 villages in Olpad and Choryasi taluka. These meetings took place at the Jinning Mill compound in Surat, and affected farmers were present to voice their concerns. KSG State President and Surat President, Ramesh Patel, led the discussions with the affected farmers to understand their stance on the matter.

Land acquisition for infrastructural projects is a common point of contention between the government and the local populace in many parts of the world. The farmers’ decision not to yield their land could pose a significant hurdle to the proposed goods train project. The government may need to address the farmers’ concerns through negotiations, offering fair compensation, or potentially re-evaluating the project’s route to reduce its impact on agricultural land.

If the farmers’ concerns are not adequately addressed, it could potentially lead to protests or legal challenges, delaying the project’s implementation and adding to its costs. On the other hand, from the farmers’ perspective, they might be concerned about losing their livelihoods and could also have emotional attachments to the land, which they might have been cultivating for generations.

Khedut Samaj Gujarat (KSG) Surat President, Ramesh Patel, has highlighted significant discrepancies in the government’s notification for the goods train project, specifically in relation to block numbers. This issue affects a significant number of farmers from multiple locations, with 34 farmers from Ichhapore, 34 from Damka, 10 from Olpad, and 35 from Vanswa identified as being majorly impacted.

In response to these issues, KSG plans to file a plea in the Gujarat High Court, signaling a potential legal challenge to the project. The group is also planning to stage protests and submit a memorandum in the coming days, illustrating their commitment to opposing the land acquisition.

Additionally, KSG intends to make a representation to Union Minister of State for Railways, Darshana Jardosh, during her visit to Surat. They are seeking a meeting with her to discuss their concerns, demonstrating their intent to engage with government representatives at the highest level to resolve the issue.

The potential legal challenge, combined with protests and political lobbying, indicate that KSG and the affected farmers are prepared to use multiple avenues to voice their opposition to the proposed land acquisition. This could complicate the implementation of the project and could potentially result in delays or revisions to the plan.

According to KSG President Jayesh Patel, the group had earlier received assurances from Union Minister of State for Railways Darshana Jardosh and BJP MLA of Olpad Mukesh Patel that no new land would be acquired for the new tracks. They were told that the new tracks would be built parallel to existing tracks using already available land. However, the group feels misled as the government issued a notification on June 13th about land acquisition for the Hazira to Gothan railway tracks.

Patel also questioned the necessity of another railway goods line in the area, as there is already a track line owned by KRIBHCO.

These statements reflect the farmers’ disappointment in the government’s actions and their perception that they were misled. They also highlight a perceived lack of necessity for the new project, which can be a significant point in their upcoming plea in the Gujarat High Court. It could also be a talking point in their planned protests and in their proposed meeting with Union Minister Jardosh.

This situation underscores the importance of clear communication and thorough justification when it comes to major infrastructure projects. Local communities, like the farmers in this case, often need reassurances that their livelihoods will not be unfairly disrupted and that the proposed projects are indeed necessary and beneficial. The government may need to address these issues effectively to move forward with the project.