Nagar Haveli's Navagram Tribals Await Compensation Amidst Bullet Train Construction
By Ruchi Verma
In the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, near Silvassa, lies Navagram in Naroli Gram Panchayat.
For generations, the tribals of the village have called this land their home, living in harmony with nature and practicing their traditional way of life. However, their peaceful existence has been disrupted by the ambitious project of constructing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train.
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| Babli Halpati and brother Raman await help |
The Indian government's plan to introduce high-speed rail connectivity between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has led to the demolition of over 20 houses belonging to the tribals of Navagram.
These modest dwellings, which held immense sentimental value for the community, were razed to make way for the construction of the bullet train infrastructure.
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| Vijay Varli is furious with the delay |
Despite promises of adequate compensation, the affected families find themselves in limbo as they await reparation for the land on which their homes once stood.
In the wake of their displacement, many Warli families have been forced to seek shelter in makeshift hutments scattered across the area.
The once tight-knit community now finds itself dispersed, grappling with the challenges of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
The absence of proper housing has exacerbated their already precarious living conditions, leaving them vulnerable to the vagaries of weather and lacking basic amenities.
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| Anjani helps her mother and grandmother with the court documents |
Compounding their plight is the protracted legal battle for compensation. Despite filing claims and pursuing legal recourse, the tribals have yet to receive adequate compensation for their land.
The bureaucratic hurdles and red tape have only added to their frustration and sense of injustice.
Meanwhile, the construction of the bullet train continues unabated, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future of the displaced community.
In their struggle for justice, the tribals have found allies in activists and civil society organisations advocating for their rights. Protests and demonstrations have been staged to highlight their plight and demand swift action from the authorities.
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| Sapna Halpati awaits compensation |
However, their pleas seem to fall on deaf ears as the wheels of bureaucracy grind slowly, leaving the marginalised community in a state of despair.
Amidst the ongoing turmoil, the tribals cling to hope, resilient in the face of adversity. Despite the hardships they endure, they remain steadfast in their determination to secure fair compensation and reclaim their dignity.
Their struggle serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of development and the imperative of ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of the marginalised and vulnerable.
Here, over 20 houses have been demolished to accommodate the prized project and have been compensated for but in part. Completion of the bullet train project was delayed due to the covid pandemic that left the nation crippled.
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| The site of the Bullet Train project in Navagram |
Residents have been compensated for their homes. However, they continue to await redress for their land. The villagers, mostly tribals, live in temporary hutments in the vicinity and some in their own shops.
Local Project Affected Person Vijay Varli is furious with the delay, Sapna Halpati yet awaits compensation, Siblings Babli and brother Raman await help while a young Anjani helps mother and grandmother as they grapple with court documents.
The peaceful village community continues to fight for its lawful due in courts. Most villagers work in nearby industries and continue to reel under a financial crisis...in their strife for justice.
As the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train hurtles forward, it is imperative that the voices of the displaced tribals are heard and their grievances addressed.
Their right to adequate compensation and resettlement must be upheld, and measures should be taken to mitigate the adverse impact of development on indigenous communities.
Only then can the promise of progress be truly inclusive and equitable, reflecting the principles of justice and compassion.
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