Two Nagpur brothers get Rs 17.87 crore and six plots for land given to New Nagpur project

Resentment over land acquisition for the New Nagpur project is still visible. But it is also true that the large project has given many farmers significant support. The story of Deepak Domaji Gotre and his elder brother Sunil Domaji Gotre is one example of how compensation has changed the lives of farmers in the village and surrounding areas.

For the land being taken for New Nagpur, the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) is paying farmers five times the compensation under a direct purchase process. A developed plot of 1,500 square feet is also being given for every acre. The government has also waived stamp duty on the registration of the land. The NMRDA is working with full vigour on New Nagpur, the dream project of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The Gotre brothers had about 6.25 acres in the New Nagpur area. Their father had bought the land in their names by selling ancestral land. It was taken for the project with their consent. In return, they received Rs 17 crore 87 lakh and six developed plots from the NMRDA as compensation.

Before the compensation arrived, Deepak and his family were in considerable financial difficulty. Deepak ran a medical shop and an internet centre, but the internet centre shut down and all his income dried up. Matters worsened to the point that he had to sell his medical shop and even his vehicle to repay debts.

The family lives off farming and was hit by drought this year because of a lack of rain. Had the money not come this year, their condition would have become very bad. In such a difficult time, the compensation became a lifeline for the family. Notably, after receiving the large sum, the two brothers used it very wisely.

Together the brothers bought 20 acres of farmland in rural Nagpur. Sunil and Deepak also bought a residential plot and row houses in Hingna. For the family's security, they placed fixed deposits of Rs 50 lakh each in their parents' names, which now bring in Rs 50,000 to 60,000 every month. The aim is that the parents should never have to ask anyone for help.

The brothers also made fixed deposits of Rs 1 crore each, which have become a strong source of monthly income for them as well. In this way, a family that was struggling and in debt has prospered on all fronts and its future is fully secure. Compensation for land has also been a lifeline for farmers such as Vijay Chincholkar, Archana Itankar and Sankari Jadhav.

One sign of the pace of the project is that the NMRDA has so far received the consent of 95 per cent of farmers and landowners for acquisition, meaning they are willing to give up their land. NMRDA officials claim that farmers are satisfied with the project. The NMRDA began acquisition in May. In just six months it has secured 95 per cent consent and has also completed more than 50 per cent of the acquisition.