Their land acquired for Delhi-Mumbai corridor, 14 tribal villages in Gujarat’s Dahod submit memorandum over ‘unfulfilled promises’

In a memorandum to the Prant Officer and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, residents of the 14 villages have stated that the authorities have “made a mockery of tribals” in Dahod by “handing out lollipops” every time the villagers “remind the authorities about the promises made” during the land acquisition three years ago.

The memorandum states, “The Central government has acquired the land of poor tribal villagers… For the last three years, we have been fighting for our rights as the basic amenities have been taken away from us. When our requests and pleas fell on deaf ears, we tried to stop the work on the highway several times. On December 15, 2024, the National Highway Authority of India as well as the contracting company had given a written assurance to us that our 16 requests will be considered. Earlier, too, on October 18, 2024, the NHAI had assured us that the issue will be resolved within four months. However, time has already passed and we are forced to give an ultimatum to the authorities.”

Mukesh Dangi, a representative of the agitating villagers, said that the villagers had decided to give the authorities time until March 5, failing which, they would take to the streets. Dangi said, “We have been making representations to the administration for the last three years. The villagers, who lost their lands, have been rendered helpless but the administration has not even given basic amenities like water, roads, street lights… We have informed the authorities that if the promise made to us is not fulfilled by March 5, we will begin a massive agitation March 12 onwards, when the other villagers, who work as migrant labourers, return to their homes for the Holi break. We will take to the street and stall the work in big numbers.”

Among the 16 demands of the villagers is the construction of a crematorium at a location in Vasti village, where an old ghat was used for the purpose. With the land meant for the anganwadi acquired by the government for the highway, the villagers have also demanded the construction of a new anganwadi in Pavdi. Besides, the villagers have contended that the road leading to schools and anganwadis was to be constructed as an underpass or an overbridge due to the ongoing work, but has not been completed.

The villagers contend that they had been assured that 31 local roads would be restored with RCC construction within 15 days of the survey but no work has been done.

The villagers have further stated that the promise of conducting a survey to install new power connections in the area, where the old electricity lines have been removed to facilitate the construction of the highway, has remained unfulfilled.

Dangi added, “The government first acquired land for two dams — Machannala and Kali-2, then for the Delhi-Mumbai corridor and now for the fourth time, they are planning acquisition for a greenfield airport announced in Jhalod. Along with the main airport, they also plan to acquire thousands of acres of land in the name of passenger amenities… This is a conspiracy to finish the tribals. We are strongly opposed to this. If they do not fulfill their promise by March 5, the district administration will be responsible for the consequences.”

District officials of Dahod and officials of Jhalod Taluka, including the SDM, were unavailable for comment.