Claiming that the route would affect their farming land of up to 300 acres, the residents have suggested an alternate route through Vasai-Thane Creek instead.
Residents of Diva have come together in opposition to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, popularly called the Bullet train project, that passes through Diva. Claiming that the route would affect their farming land of up to 300 acres, the residents have suggested an alternate route through Vasai-Thane Creek instead.
Ever since it became known that the route would go through one of their villages, farmers in Diva have been wary of the project rendering them without land and homes. "More than 100-acre land will be required for the rail line and 300 to 400 acre for the car shed," said Govind Bhagat, president, Aagri Yuvak Sanghatna, Maharashtra. "This means thousands of people, particularly farmers, will lose their lands and homes as the bullet train makes its way through Diva."
Farmers from Palghar, Bhiwandi, Mathardi, Betawade, Aagasan, Desai, Padle, Dawle, Shil and Ghansoli have opposed the state government's land acquisition for the project. They refused to co-operate with the land survey done by the Thane Tehsildar office. "During the land survey in February, none of us were present and we do not want to give our land," added Bhagat.
However, the farmers have instead suggested an alternate route to the government for the project which would not affect anyone. Bhagat explained, "They can take the route from Vasai and Thane Creek, passing through Mulund and end at Bombay Port Trust (BPT). Vasai and Thane Creek are under the green zone and the government has enough land at BPT for a car shed. Then why are they bothering us?"
The farmers wrote to Thane District Collector Dr Mahendra Kalyankar last week opposing the land acquisition. "If our demands are not met then we will protest against this forceful acquisition," warned Bhagat.
Meanwhile, Dr Kalyankar said that he does not know about any protest as yet. "The petitioners had a peaceful meeting with our sub-divisional officer on March 22. There was no opposition as such," said Dr Kalyankar.
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