This is against the backdrop of heavy opposition to the route and width of the proposed western bypass and how it could lead to the destruction of several houses and properties along the way, besides damaging the environment and ecology.
An aggrieved landowner, who visited the PWD office seeking clarification on the land acquisition, was shocked to found out that the notice under Section 3A of National Highway Act has already been published in the Gazette of India, no 530, dated February 29, 2016 regarding acquisition of their land and compensation to be worked out by the LAO.
Winston Rodrigues who owns a property in Dramapur that has been proposed to be acquired by the PWD for the Western Bypass claims that many land owners were still then not aware of the notification.
“The notices were published three months ago and I only got to know it after I visited the PWD office. Is there some hidden agenda so that the 21 days lapse and people cannot file their objections? Winston asked.
“Although the Act states that a mail has to be sent to individual land owners, no mail was sent to me. When I inquired, I was told by officials that the PWD is the authority and that a mail to the land owners to inform them about the Notification is not mandatory and that the PWD now has the authority to enter on the property and does not require my permission,” added Winston.
Winston said that since they did not know about the notification, the land owners concerned including him are now unable to file objections within the stipulated 21 days.
