For the past several months, thousands of farmers in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting against the land acquisition for the construction of National Highway 334D. This 83-kilometre highway is planned to connect Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh to Palwal in Haryana. The government officially notified the land for acquisition in January 2025 under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013. Farmers across 31 villages—5 in Kol tehsil and 26 in Khair tehsil—will be affected. These villages are mostly rural and depend on farming for their livelihood.
Around 6,000 farmers are directly impacted by this project. So far, about 35–40% of them have accepted compensation, but most of them did so with written objections. The remaining 60%—nearly 3,600 farmers—are still refusing compensation. Their main complaint is that the compensation is based on old circle rates, which are over 13 years old and do not reflect the current market value of the land. Farmers say the compensation being offered is too low and not enough to buy new land or secure their family’s future.
The farmers have also raised other important issues. They are demanding underpasses, overbridges and service roads at major crossings like Jattari-Pasaava, Gomat-Chhaudas and Sofa-Pasaava. They fear that without these, villages may become isolated or cut off from nearby areas. Additionally, they want toll-free access for vehicles belonging to residents of affected villages. Some of the affected areas fall under the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), where strict construction rules apply, making it harder for farmers to rebuild or relocate. This makes fair compensation even more necessary.
The protest has been supported by several farmer unions, including the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Tikait and Bhanu factions), Kisan Ekta Mahasangh and others. Several farmers have been protesting for more than 125 days.
To solve the issue legally, many farmers have filed arbitration cases before the District Magistrate of Aligarh. They have also met several ministers like central minister Jayant Chowdhary and state minister Laxmi Narayan and political leaders, seeking support and solutions. However, they have only received assurances so far—no solid decisions or actions have been taken to address their demands.
In June 2025, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Administration Pankaj Kumar told Amar Ujala that the process of giving compensation to the affected landowners for this section of National Highway No. 334 has started. So far, compensation award has been declared for 21 villages, in which an amount of about Rs 600 crore will be distributed. According to the report, out of the total budget of Rs 2500 crore, Rs 1500 crore will be spent on land acquisition.
So far, compensation has been decided for 160 hectares of land of 21 villages in Aligarh. These villages include Arrana, Udaygarhi, Bankner, Ganeshpur, Nagla Assu, Usrah Rasoolpur, Bulakipur, Chaudhana, Jarara, Ainchana, Laxmangarhi, Rajpur, Resari, Jalalpur, Heerpura, Khedia Buzurg, Itwarpur, Dorpuri, Shyoural, Hamidpur, and Rasoolpur. The award for the remaining 10 villages will be announced soon.
As on August 2025, the protests are still going on and the farmers remain united in demanding justice, fair compensation and protection of their future livelihoods.
This protest highlights the ongoing struggle between development projects and the rights of rural communities. It shows the need for fair land valuation and genuine dialogue with people before acquiring land.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for more compensation than promised
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
• Fair compensation based on current market rates • Equal compensation for all affected landowners • Compensation for affected commercial structures • Construction of underpasses, overbridges, and service roads • Toll exemption for all affected villages • Service roads on both sides of the highway
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Private
N/A
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
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):
₹
2500
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2025
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.
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
Yes
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:
Delay in compensation
Non-payment of compensation/promised compensation
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
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:
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:
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Tikait faction) – National President: Naresh Tikait Bhartiya Kisan Union (Mahatma Tikait faction) – National President: Anil Talan Kisan Ekta Mahasangh – National President: Ramesh Kasana Bhartiya Kisan Union (Bhanu faction) – National President: Bhanu Pratap Singh Kisan Ekta Sangh – National President: Soran Pradhan Bhartiya Kisan Union (Harpal faction) – National President: Chaudhary Harpal Singh
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?
