The world expects us to lead the growth trajectory. For this to happen certain legislative frameworks have to be settled. The amendments to the “Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013” is thus a necessity, let us not reduce it to a cheap street show of the farmer being robbed. For this is not the case. India is on the cusp of a historic industrial rollout, which will benefit all sections of its people, rural and urban. Industrial corridors require robust road, rail & sea / river networks. This means acquiring land.
The Sagar Mala was announced on 15.08.2003 by the Vajpayee government, under which all major ports and inland water / rivers were to be interconnected, road and railway networks were to be strengthened. However, UPA did not take much interest in this project. But, the Modi government has accorded this project top priority supplementing it with 100 smart cities, and industrial corridors planned at every 150-200 kms along the road / railway network. The government has divided it into five mega projects.
The objective of these projects is to optimise the present economic and employment potential of the regions, stimulate investments particularly in the manufacturing, agro-processing, services and export oriented units. Technology is being used to enable India to leap frog in the process of urbanisation.
Also, there are some inland waterways already in the country but they are not deep enough for the movement of big ships. The government intends to make the water depth to 3 meters throughout the route. The work has already begun on Ganga river at Varanasi on the Allahabad-Haldia waterway.
In addition, the government has also come out with an EoI inviting companies interested in providing and operating shipping services along any port in the country including inland waterways. This includes entire coastal stretch of the country.
The next phase of the development is targeted in the rural areas and the entire country will reap its benefit. All these projects will give a big push to the economy.
A new ‘National Industrial Corridor Development Authority (NICDA)’ to coordinate, integrate, monitor and supervise development of all Industrial Corridors is under consideration of the government for some time. The government should establish NICDA on priority as many arms of various ministries are working independently.
