The Bombay High Court has ruled that the selection of sites for major public infrastructure projects is primarily a policy decision. This decision involves technical and operational factors that should be determined by experts in the field. The court emphasized that it cannot intervene in such strategic matters. Farmers who feel aggrieved by land acquisitions or compensation amounts are advised to seek recourse through the appropriate legal channels, rather than relying on judicial intervention in these policy decisions.
So far, 910 hectares have been acquired, with approximately Rs3,875 crore paid out as compensation to landowners. The govt has extended the deadline for farmers to give their consent from Sept 25 to Oct 10, aiming to complete the entire acquisition process by Oct 20, according to the district administration. Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi told TOI that he has appealed to farmers to submit their consent within the extended timeline, noting that those opting for consent-based acquisition will receive a 10% return along with other rehabilitation policy benefits.
The court held that selecting a site for a major public infrastructure project is essentially a policy decision involving technical and operational considerations best left to experts. It added that courts cannot interfere in such strategic matters and stated that aggrieved farmers could instead approach competent authorities to challenge land acquisition and compensation amounts if they are not in accordance with the law. He also urged joint landholders to resolve any internal disputes quickly to accept their compensation and avoid payment delays.