MSRDC New Township in Maharashtra’s Wardha District

One of the 20 townships proposed under Samruddhi Mahamarg is all set to become reality in Arvi tehsil of Wardha district. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has received 75% of the required land.  Named Krishi Samruddhi Kendra, the new townships are considered a difficult task, as the land is being acquired under land pooling system instead of direct purchase or acquisition. MSRDC, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Radheshyam Mopalwar inspected works on the corridor as well as the site of new township proposed in Arvi tehsil. “Major works of package-I (Nagpur to Wardha district) have been completed. Work of last leg is going on. We are forcing contractors to expedite works so that stretch from Nagpur to Shirdi can be started whenever decision is taken by the government. Otherwise, contractors have time till July 15, 2022. We would have completed the works 1.5 years in advance had Covid-19 pandemic not hit,” he said. Mopalwar added that notification of toll charges will be issued within 15 days. “I also reviewed development of tolls, 20 petrol pumps, emergency management systems, and other basic amenities. We plan to extend the expressway to Gondia district, for which tender will be issued on Monday,” he said. As per data given to Mopalwar by MSRDC officials, the new township proposed in Arvi tehsil will require 1,169.19 hectare of which 75% is in possession of MSRDC as on date. This is one of six nodes selected to be developed under phase-I and only one in Nagpur division. The township will be situated on both sides of the 120-meter wide expressway in six mouzas. A team of MSRDC officials led by additional collector Nishikant Sukhe has reportedly kept target to complete acquisition of 90% land within next couple of months so that works can begin in six months. “Township plan is being prepared by a private company in Ahmedabad. We could get land for construction of road as project-affected-persons were given five times of ready reckoner value, and sales statistics value immediately after handing over the land. For townships, we are taking land under land pooling system. In this, PAPs would get 30% of their total land in developed manner after 3-4 years. Therefore, PAPs are taking time,” MSRDC officials said. After handing over the land, PAPs will receive Rs30,000 per acre for rain fed land, Rs45,000 per acre for seasonal irrigated or seasonal cash crops land, and Rs60,000 per acre for irrigated land as crop compensation for a period of 10 years. This amount will be increased 10% every year to take inflation into account.