VADODARA: Cash-strapped Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has decided to let go of the land it acquired for the widening of the road on the Alkapuri side of the Vadodara railway station in wake of a Gujarat high court order in favour of the landowner. The road had been widened there and would become narrow if the landowner takes the land back.
As a part of a plan to widen the road on the Alkapuri side of the station, VMC had demolished the compound walls of at least three different properties in 2017. These included one belonging to Shri Maruti Developers where the Harmony Complex now stands.
The developer approached the high court and sought compensation. The court ordered that the VMC should take a suitable decision regarding the acquisition that was claimed to be forcible by the petitioner.
A proposal prepared for the implementation of the order states that the VMC had only two options now. It should either pay the compensation or return the land. The compensation for the land amounts to Rs 16.76crore.
The VMC is also wary that other persons on the stretch may demand compensation on grounds of parity if it paid compensation to one. The civic body is also cash-strapped and will find it difficult to give money as compensation.
The standing committee on Thursday decided that it would return the land to the petitioner. This would mean that the road would become half of its existing length and the parking space developed on its side will also be lost.
