Nashik Ring Road: MSIDC explores land monetisation

The Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) has started examining ways to monetise land along Nashik’s proposed Ring Road, even as land acquisition for the project remains underway.

The proposed road will span 66 km and will have six lanes with a right of way of 60 metres, according to Ranjit Hande, chief engineer, MSIDC.

The road is being constructed for the Kumbh Mela next year.

“We are yet to acquire the land fully. But we are appointing a consultant to get ideas on how to monetise land along the road,” Hande said.

He said 386 hectares of land needed to be acquired for the proposed road. MSIDC is also checking how much additional land may be required for monetisation and facilities such as hotels and ancillary activities.

The land-acquisition process remains at an early stage. Hande said only 14 per cent of the required land had been acquired so far.

Activist Karan Gaikar of Chhava Krantiveer Sena has raised objections to the project and alleged that people involved in finalising the alignment were also purchasing land along the proposed route.

“The work order for construction of the ring road must be issued only when 55% land is acquired. But as of now, only 14% land has been acquired,” Gaikar said.

He also alleged that more properties would be affected than the authorities had indicated.

“In reality, at least 40 houses will be affected, and 25 wells, 13 borewells and 16 polyhouses will have to be acquired,” he said.

A Nashik-based chartered accountant opposing the project said a social impact assessment should have been conducted before work on the road began, but MSIDC had sought an exemption.

“The authorities claim that they want a road for the Kumbh mela. But I can guarantee that the work cannot be completed by the time the mela starts next year. There are nearly 14 villages which are opposing the road,” the CA said.

The proposed Ring Road is planned as a six-lane corridor with a 60-metre right of way. MSIDC is now seeking professional advice on potential monetisation and related facilities along the route while acquisition continues.