NHAI owes Rs 15 crore in lieu of land for NH-58

MEERUT: The National Highway Authority of India has to release over Rs 15 crore as interest accumulated on land of 30 villages of Muzaffarnagar, acquired for the extension of National Highway-58, so that the compensation can be distributed among the farmers.

Muzaffarnagar district magistrate Nikhil Chand Shukla has directed the project director of National Highway-58, Meerut, to clear the dues. He also directed officials of NHAI to take the requisite measures to curb the fatal accidents on NH-58.

During the land acquisition from farmers for development projects, an arbitrator fixes the rate of the land so that compensation can be distributed to farmers accordingly. About 10 years ago, during the extension of NH-58, land from the farmers of about 30 villages was acquired. Through the arbitrator, (DM is given the charge of arbitration) the compensation is distributed.

Shukla said the outstanding interest of arbitration in 20 such villages is Rs 8.76 crore, while another Rs 6.26 crore of arbitration agreements is still due on the project.