PMRDA and district admin push for early completion of land acquisition as NHAI likely to finalise contract for Nashik Phata-Khed elevated corridor

PUNE: As the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) prepares to open bids (tenders) for the proposed Nashik Phata–Khed elevated corridor on August 25, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the district administration have asked concerned officials to expedite the land acquisition process.District Collector Jitendra Dudi and PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase held a review meeting last week, instructing concerned departments to speed up land measurement so that acquisition can be completed on time. According to NHAI, the project requires the acquisition of about 14 hectares of land, mainly for the proposed entry and exit points along the 30 km elevated corridor, and the majority of it falls within PMRDA limits.“The state govt in one of the meetings assured to complete the acquisition before October. The delay may not obstruct the documentation procedure and technical works, but the agency which will be finalised for the work will not be able to start the work on the ground until the required land is in possession,” an NHAI official told TOI.

The project includes widening the existing Pune-Nashik highway stretch and constructing the 30 km elevated corridor.

The central govt last year approved Rs 7,827 Crore for the project. Once completed, it is expected to ease congestion on the Pune–Nashik highway, a key link to the Chakan MIDC.A senior PMRDA official confirmed that 9.74 hectares of land in their jurisdiction, owned by 150 landowners, has been earmarked for acquisition. The proposed land covers villages such as Nanekarwadi, Waki Khurd, Waki Budruk, Chimbali, Kuruli, Medankarwadi, and parts of Chakan.

He said attempts are being made to acquire it against Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) or Floor Space Index (FSI), wherever possible, to expedite the process.In PCMC limits, the land acquisition will be required in areas like Bhosari and Moshi. A senior PCMC official said a majority of the land needed for the project has already been acquired against TDR and FSI. Besides, earlier this year, a proposal was also sent to the state govt seeking Rs 262 Crore as financial assistance to acquire the remaining land.

According to NHAI, there will be five entry and exit points each on both sides of the elevated corridor.The administration is likely to face resistance during land acquisition, as several landowners allege that plots earlier marked for the Pune–Nashik highway were never officially acquired. “The administration claims our land is already in its possession and it was acquired by PWD, but that is not true. We have a court order stating the land is still with us, and compensation must be given if they want it,” said Dhiraj Mutke, a Chakan resident.