Farmers across Punjab held several protests against the acquisition of agricultural land for the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project, with some demanding a higher compensation, while others refusing to give up their fertile land.
The Rs 40,000-crore Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project, being developed under the Bharatmala initiative, aims to significantly improve connectivity. Once completed, the expressway will shorten the distance between Delhi and Katra by 40 kilometres, reducing the travel time from 11 hours to approximately six hours. The journey from Delhi to Amritsar will also be cut to about four hours, according to officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The project is expected to promote religious tourism by connecting key holy cities such as Katra-Vaishno Devi and Amritsar with Delhi. Additionally, it will provide the shortest route to important Sikh shrines, including Dera Baba Nanak, Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, and Tarn Taran, enhancing accessibility to these spiritual destinations.
In Punjab, this expressway will pass through industrial areas like Patiala, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Gurudaspur.
In August 2024, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) protested against the alleged forceful acquisition of farmers’ land in Shekhfatta village in Tarn Taran district. KMSC leaders stated that land acquisition can only proceed if 80 percent of the farmers give their consent or if compensation is provided at four times the rate of land in adjacent areas.
In Dunda village, Yadwinder Singh, who refused to vacate a 300-metre stretch of agricultural land, was arrested and sent to judicial custody before the disputed land was handed over to NHAI for the project. Singh was charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, as well as the National Highways Act, 1956.
During a protest against the project in Sarod village of Malerkotla, farmers clashed with police over land acquisition issues. Following which, district authorities held discussions with farmers to "amicably" resolve the issue.
In February 2025, farmers in Barnala district blocked construction on a stretch of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway over compensation disputes. The BKU (Ekta-Dakaunda) farmer group staged a week-long sit-in near Sehna village on the Bathinda-Ludhiana stretch of the expressway, demanding better compensation for land acquired for the project. Farmers argued that the land, located near commercial areas, is worth around Rs 2 crore per acre but the NHAI is offering Rs 58 lakh per acre. Around 20 farmers, holding nearly 100 acres in Gehal, Bihla, Ramgarh, and Sehna villages, rejected the compensation.
While most affected farmers have accepted the NHAI offer, a handful of villages remain in protest. In March 2025, at least eight farmers were injured amid a clash with the police over land acquisition in Gurdaspur. The unrest erupted after a police team arrived in Village Nangoljhor to take control of the land acquired for the expressway. The farmers alleged that the administration attempted to seize their land without prior notice and offered inadequate compensation.
Meanwhile, the NHAI cancelled the tender for a 30-km section of the Amritsar spur of the Delhi–Amritsar-Katra Expressway due to its inability to acquire land. The Amritsar spur—99 km total length—will connect the holy city to the Delhi-Katra stretch of the expressway.
As of April 2025, 20 percent of farmers are yet to receive compensation. However, for certain areas, the Punjab government, under pressure from the Centre, hiked payments up to Rs 85 lakh per acre—over 600% higher than initial offers—to persuade farmers to hand over land.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for more compensation than promised
Refusal to give up land for the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Urban and Rural
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?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
2024
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Grazing, Non-agri rural enterprise
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
Project stalled in some areas - <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/farmers-halt-construction-of-delhi-amirtsar-katra-expressway-near-bathinda/articleshow/118396281.cms> and <https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-high-court-summons-dcs-ssps-nhai-land-acquisition-9911925/>
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
40000
Type of investment:
Investment Expected
Year of Estimation
2019
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Incorrect estimation of compensation
Non-implementation/violation of LARR Act
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Punjab and Haryana High Court
Case Number
CM-5185-CWP-2025, CM-10552-CWP-2024, CM-10553-CWP-2024 & CM-10554-CWP-2024 IN CWP-8730-2022 National Highway Authority of India & Another VS. State of Punjab &Others .
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
State Government of Punjab
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
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:
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee
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?
