Koraput MP Seeks Review of Compensation for Land Acquired for Railway Projects

Koraput: Koraput MP and senior Congress leader Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to reconsider the compensation being offered to farmers whose land is being acquired for the Jeypore-Nabarangpur and Jeypore-Malkangiri railway projects.

In a letter to the Railway Minister on Monday, Ulaka raised concerns over the valuation of agricultural land in the Koraput parliamentary constituency, claiming that the compensation being offered does not adequately reflect the land’s prevailing market value or its importance as a source of livelihood.

According to the MP, several affected families have fertile, irrigated and double-crop farmland that has reportedly been assessed at around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per acre. He argued that such valuation fails to account for the productivity of the land and the income families derive from agriculture.

Ulaka sought a fresh and transparent assessment, with factors such as current market rates, irrigation facilities, agricultural output and potential loss of future livelihood taken into consideration.

He also referred to the demand of affected farmers for compensation of up to Rs 1 crore per acre for fertile and irrigated land, and called for a market-based revision of the compensation package.

The Congress MP further raised concerns over the alleged lack of adequate consultation with villagers during the land valuation and compensation process. He stressed that while the railway projects are important for improving connectivity and boosting development in the tribal-dominated districts of southern Odisha, local communities should not bear an unfair economic burden.

Ulaka proposed the creation of a district-level grievance redressal and arbitration mechanism, with representatives from affected villages, to examine disputes over compensation and ensure their speedy resolution.

He also sought proper implementation of rehabilitation and resettlement provisions, including livelihood support and other statutory benefits for families affected by land acquisition.

The MP additionally requested that eligible members of severely affected families be considered for employment in the Railways or other project-related livelihood opportunities, subject to existing government rules.

Calling for greater consultation, Ulaka urged railway authorities and the district administration to hold village-level discussions with landowners before taking further steps towards possession of the acquired land.

He also appealed to the Centre to send a senior Railway Ministry team to Koraput to meet affected families and work towards a mutually acceptable settlement. Pending resolution of the grievances, he requested that coercive measures against land losers be avoided.

Ulaka said an early resolution of the compensation issue would help protect the livelihood interests of affected families while also ensuring timely progress on the two important railway projects.