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57 Arbitrators Appointed to Clear 28,000 Stalled Highway Compensation Claims

The Central government has appointed 57 new arbitrators in Maharashtra to resolve over 28,000 long-pending compensation claims related to National Highway projects. The initiative, driven by state authorities, aims to provide timely compensation to project-affected farmers and clear legal hurdles delaying infrastructure development. The arbitrators, drawn from senior administrative cadres, will operate across all divisions of the state with monthly progress reviews. This move is expected to settle disputes that have lingered for years, ensuring both justice for landowners and faster project completion.

Key Points: Maharashtra Appoints 57 Arbitrators for 28,000 NH Compensation Cases

  • Expedite 28,000 pending claims
  • Resolve land acquisition disputes
  • Ensure timely farmer compensation
  • Accelerate highway project development
2 min read

Centre appoints 57 arbitrators to expedite 28,000 compensation claims of NH projects in Maharashtra

Centre appoints 57 arbitrators to expedite over 28,000 pending land compensation claims for NH projects in Maharashtra, ensuring faster payouts.

"With the appointment of 57 new arbitrators, these 28,000 pending cases will now be resolved within a specific timeframe. - Chandrashekhar Bawankule"

Mumbai, March 28

In a move to expedite long-pending land acquisition disputes related to National Highway projects, the Central government has appointed 57 new arbitrators in Maharashtra.

This decision is set to resolve more than 28,000 pending claims from project-affected persons, who have been waiting since several years for their compensation.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Saturday that following instructions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he took a special initiative to safeguard the interests of farmers.

"After a series of joint meetings between the state and Central governments -- including discussions with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari -- and persistent follow-up based on regional case studies, these appointments have been finalised," Minister Bawankule added.

He said that while several projects by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are underway across the state, nearly 28,000 cases regarding enhanced compensation have remained stuck in arbitration.

Some of these cases have been pending for more than three years, he added.

Recognising the need for transparency and the rights of the affected persons, Minister Bawankule said that he pressed for independent arbitrators to ensure speedy hearings.

Consequently, 57 experienced officers from the cadres of Additional Commissioner and Additional Collector have now been appointed as arbitrators across Maharashtra.

"These officials will operate across all divisions, including Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, and Nagpur. The Revenue Department has issued a formal directive to District Collectors to immediately convene meetings with NHAI Project Directors and Land Acquisition Officers to distribute the pending cases among these new arbitrators. To ensure administrative consistency, all claims related to a single award will be assigned to the same officer," Minister Bawankule added.

He also noted that to ensure the process remains efficient, Divisional Commissioners have been tasked with conducting monthly reviews of the arbitrators' progress.

The NHAI will also provide the necessary funding for manpower and office expenses to ensure that the judicial process faces no logistical hurdles.

"Compensation for farmers is often delayed due to pending land acquisition claims, which also leads to project delays. Recognising the gravity of this issue, we pursued this matter with the Central government. With the appointment of 57 new arbitrators, these 28,000 pending cases will now be resolved within a specific timeframe. This decision by the Revenue Department will clear old disputes, ensure timely compensation for project-affected persons, and accelerate the state's development," Minister Bawankule remarked.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Good initiative, but why did it take so long? 28,000 families have been waiting for years. The system needs a permanent fix, not just a one-time appointment drive. Hope the monthly reviews are made public for transparency.
A
Arjun K
Speedy infrastructure development is crucial, but not at the cost of farmers' livelihoods. Appointing 57 arbitrators is a positive move. Now, the focus should be on fair compensation as per current market rates, not the outdated circle rates. Jai Kisan!
P
Priya S
Finally! The delay in compensation has caused immense hardship. Many farmers take loans hoping for compensation, and then get trapped in debt. Hope this brings them relief quickly. The government should also provide interest on the delayed payments.
V
Vikram M
A step in the right direction. Clearing this backlog will also help complete highway projects faster, which benefits the entire state's economy. Win-win if implemented properly. Kudos to the state and central govt for coordinating on this.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see such a large-scale administrative intervention. From an outside perspective, the scale of 28,000 pending cases highlights a systemic issue. Hope the new arbitrators have adequate training in both law and mediation to handle this fairly.

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