No NH 37 survey sans compensation: Land owners
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 25 2023: Demanding the government to pay compensation to the land owners affected by expansion of NH 37 (40 feet on both sides) from Imphal to Keithelmanbi, NH 37 Affected Land Owners' Association has warned of boycotting any further survey of the highway till release of the due compensation.

Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here on Saturday, association secretary Irengbam Gandhajit said that width for expansion of the highway varies from one place to another.

It is 40 feet in some area, 55 feet in some and 75 feet in other parts.

As per project specification of the ministry of road transport and highways, the width for expansion is 40 feet on each side, he pointed out, while urging the government to maintain the project specification and construct proper drainage system.

Notice for land acquisition along the highway was issued in 1983 and eviction drive carried out in 1988.The government released the compensation after six years, in 1994 but the affected land owners rejected it citing low land rate.

Officials visited some affected land owners at their houses and collected signatures for compensation.

After decades, the government issued a fresh notice on November 30, 2021 and carried out eviction consequently.

As the affected land owners enquired about compensation.

they were told that compensation had already been paid and there is no pending payment.

Amid the tense situation, the government issued another order for expansion of the highway by 75 feet on each side, on August 22, 2022, he said.

Demanding the government to pay compensation for the 40 feet (evicted already), he said that the association will ban any survey along the highway until they get their compensation.

He also said that they will carry out a protest by submitting their land holding documents (patta) to DC Imphal West on March 27 if their demand is not fulfilled.

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