Mumbai, March 29: The central government has appointed 57 new arbitrators in Maharashtra to expedite the resolution of long-pending land acquisition disputes related to national highway projects. This decision aims to address over 28,000 pending claims from individuals who have been waiting for their compensation for several years.
Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, announced this initiative on Saturday, emphasizing the protection of farmers’ interests under the directives of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Bawankule stated that these appointments were finalized after multiple joint meetings between state and central governments, including discussions with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, and continuous follow-ups based on regional case studies.
He noted that while several projects by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are underway across the state, approximately 28,000 cases related to increased compensation are currently stuck in arbitration. Some of these cases have been pending for over three years.
Understanding the need for transparency and the rights of affected individuals, Minister Bawankule emphasized the importance of independent arbitrators to ensure prompt hearings. Consequently, 57 experienced officials from the Additional Commissioner and Additional Collector cadre have been appointed as arbitrators throughout Maharashtra.
“These officials will work across all divisions, including Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, and Nagpur. The Revenue Department has formally instructed district collectors to hold immediate meetings with NHAI project directors and land acquisition officers to distribute pending cases among the new arbitrators,” he added.
Bawankule further mentioned that to ensure administrative consistency, all claims related to a single award will be assigned to the same official. He also revealed that divisional commissioners will be tasked with conducting monthly reviews of the arbitrators’ progress to maintain efficiency in the process.
NHAI will provide necessary funding for manpower and office expenses to ensure that there are no logistical disruptions in the legal proceedings.
Bawankule highlighted that delays in compensation for farmers often stem from pending land acquisition claims, which also causes delays in projects. Recognizing the seriousness of this issue, the matter was raised with the central government. With the appointment of 57 new arbitrators, these 28,000 pending cases are expected to be resolved within a stipulated timeframe.
He concluded that this decision by the Revenue Department will help resolve longstanding disputes, ensuring timely compensation for affected individuals and accelerating the state’s development.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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