In a development that may be a major setback to the proposed East-West Metro Corridor project in the city, the Calcutta High Court has held that the acquisition of land along certain stretches stands “lapsed”.
The order dated September 6 passed by Justice Jyotirmay Bhattacharya in a writ petition filed by Central Calcutta Citizens Welfare Association held that the land acquisition concerning certain properties stood lapsed and directed the Land Acquisition Collector to restore the possession of the premises to the petitioners within two weeks.
According to the petition, the notification for the acquisition of various premises within the Bowbazar police station area in the city was issued on November 11, 2009. However, the compensation payable to the tenants was announced by the Collector on November 15, 2011.
According to the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the gazette publication of the award of the compensation must be done within two years of the notification of the acquisition.
Justice Bhattacharya held that the “entire land acquisition proceedings concerning those properties, stood lapsed” as a consequence of “non-publication of the award within the statutory period.”
The East-West Metro Corridor project that will connect Salt Lake in the eastern fringes of the city with the Howrah Maidan was sanctioned in 2008. The over 14-kilometre-long route, nearly 9 kilometres of which will be underground, will pass under the Hooghly river, the first such river crossing in the country.
