Gujarat
Dholka
,
Moti Boru
,
Ahmedabad
Published :
May 2025
|
Updated :
Farmers protest against land acquisition for power substation in Gujarat's Moti Boru
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Sourabh Rai, Amrita Chekkutty
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
224
Households affected
1076
People affected
Year started
62
ha.
Land area affected
224
Households affected
1076
People Affected
Year started
62
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Transmission Lines
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Ended
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Transmission Lines
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Ended
1
Summary

Farmers in Moti Boru village in Gujarat's Ahmedabad district have raised strong objections against the acquisition of their agricultural land for the construction of a 765 KV power substation by the Power Grid Corporation of India. The farmers have submitted an objection petition to Ahmedabad Collectorate, asserting that the fertile farmland is being taken over without their consent or prior notification.

The petition states that the government initiated the land acquisition process without consulting the affected farmers, leaving them in the dark about the project. The farmers argue that the construction of the substation will not only lead to the loss of their agricultural land but will also deprive many of them of their primary source of income, rendering some as non-farmers. This, they claim, will severely impact their livelihoods and food security.

As an alternative, the petition suggests that the substation be constructed on the vast waste land available in neighbouring villages to the south of Moti Boru, specifically in areas marked under survey numbers 21, 24, and 1197. The farmers contend that utilizing these lands would prevent the unnecessary destruction of productive farmland while still allowing the project to proceed.

Additionally, the petitioners highlighted that the Power Grid Corporation of India had initially planned to set up the substation in Vatman or nearby villages. However, for unspecified reasons, the project was relocated to Moti Boru, raising concerns among the farmers about the decision-making process. They fear that erecting high-tension poles and laying a network of electric wires across their farmlands will not only reduce cultivable land but also lower agricultural productivity, further threatening their economic stability.

The farmers have categorically rejected the land acquisition and demanded the cancellation of the notification for the substation's construction. They have also warned that if the acquisition process continues without addressing their concerns, they will take legal action or launch protests to protect their rights.

With government waste land available as a viable alternative, the farmers urge authorities to reconsider the decision and ensure that their livelihood is not sacrificed in the name of development. The villagers remain firm in their demand, emphasizing that justice must prevail, and productive farmland should not be converted for infrastructural projects without due process and consultation.

The situation continues to unfold as farmers await a response from the authorities regarding their petition.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to cancel the project

Refusal to give up land for the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Type of Land

Private

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Agricultural land

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Author
Reported by
Suchak Patel
Suchak is an independent researcher.
Show more work
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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to cancel the project

Refusal to give up land for the project

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Agricultural land

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

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