Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train project is considered as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious project. On one hand, where the union government is overlooking Maharashtra farmers’ protest over this project, on the other hand, people of Gujarat Khedut Samaj (GKS) have opposed the project and have submitted an affidavit to Gujarat High Court.
Not only this, GKS Chief Jayesh Patel told Mumbai Live that they have written a letter to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) mentioning that they should not fund the bullet train project. He said that they will not give one inch for the project and will intensify the protest if needed.
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Around ₹1.10 Cr will be spent on 468 km bullet train project which will cut down the traveling period from 7-8 hours to 2-2.5 hours. For the same, the central government has to acquire farmers’ land in both Gujarat and Maharashtra. Initially, it was only farmers in Maharashtra who were opposing the project but now they have been joined by GKS farmers.
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According to Patel, around 688 hectares of land in Gujarat is required for the project.
Unless and until there is 70 per cent approval of the landowners, the government cannot acquire the land. Likewise, in the absence of a social impact assessment report, the government cannot acquire the land. Also, if the land is an agricultural one, the government cannot interfere. The Union government is violating all these norms that come under Central Land Acquisition Act, we decided to seek legal help,” said Patel.
Patel said that around 1000 farmers have submitted an affidavit stating that they would not give their land for bullet train project. Patel added that GKS has asked JICA officials to allow them some time to make their stand clear.
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