Overview

Land acquisition laws in the national capital have been framed in regard to various factors—social, political, and economic. The land acquisition process in Delhi enables the government to acquire land for various purposes in public places, such as the construction of roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects. Land acquisition in Delhi has been a bone of contention due to the limited land and growing urbanization. We at Your Property Doctor offer land policy updates in regard to MCD/DDA. DDA is responsible for the acquisition of land for development projects in this city. This governing body has been criticized for lack of accountability and transparency in the land acquisition process. These include the need for the rights of communities, infrastructure development, and the interests of business and industry groups.

The Process of Land Acquisition in Delhi:

The notification of intent for the acquisition of land is the first step in the DDA land acquisition process. The concerned authority shoots off a notification in the local newspaper, conveying the message about the intention to acquire land for a specific purpose.

Assessment of Social Impact:

Before the acquisition of land, the concerned authority conducts an assessment of social impact for evaluation of the potential impact of the proposed acquisition on the affected communities. The social impact assessment for land acquisition includes an assessment of the impact on livelihoods and the environment, a survey of the affected area, and consultation with the affected communities.

Hearing:

Once the assessment of social impact has been done, the concerned authority conducts a public hearing to provide the affected communities with a chance to raise their concerns and give feedback on the proposed acquisition.

Declaration of Intent for the Acquisition of Land:

After hearing, if the concerned authority or the government makes a decision to go ahead with the acquisition, they issue a declaration of intent for the acquisition of the land. This declaration includes the details of the land that is to be acquired and the purpose for which it will be used.

Acquisition of Land:

Once the declaration of intent for the acquisition of land is issued, the concerned authority starts the process for the acquisition of land. The process involves negotiating with the landowners, calculating the value of the land, and paying compensation in land acquisition in Delhi. If the landowner fails to accept the compensation, the concerned authority may hand over the matter to the Land Acquisition Collector to take a decision about the compensation.

Compensation:

The Land Acquisition Collector determines the compensation to be paid to the landowner, such as the value of the trees and crops on the land, market value of the land, and the potential for future development. The compensation may also include a resettlement and rehabilitation package for the affected communities.

Possession:

Once the compensation is paid, the concerned authority takes possession of the land and starts developing it for the intended purpose.