Bullet Train Project : SC Issues Notice On Farmers' Plea Against Land Acquisition

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose issued notices on Friday  to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRC) and the Gujarat and Central governments on petitions  against land acquisition for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

Farmers moved the apex court against land acquisition along the 508 km stretch for India's first bullet train, and the bench today sought the response of the authorities, who must clear their stand. The plea by the farmers urges that the land acquisitions is illegal. This allegation was made earlier in a lower court, but was rejected.

The work for this project is due to start around March this year, after all formalities, land acquisition and other procedures are taken care of. The matter, however, will now be taken up by court on March 20.

The high speed bullet train is due to be completed by 2023 and is estimated to cost the government approximately Rs. 1.08 lakh crores.