Bombay HC Raises Uran Land Compensation to Rs 1,725 per Sq Metre
Nearly 40 years after their land was acquired for the development of Navi Mumbai, landowners in Bokadvira village in Uran will receive higher compensation following a ruling by the Bombay High Court. The court enhanced the land value from Rs 1,124 to Rs 1,725 per square metre.
Justice Amit Borkar noted that Bokadvira was situated close to a railway line, roads, industrial areas, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), and formed part of the larger development plan for Navi Mumbai. The judgment was passed on August 10, with the detailed order released on Thursday.
The land was initially acquired in 1986. In the matters before the court, one case involved 3,690 square metres of land while another involved 5,110 square metres. The state government had originally awarded compensation of around Rs 5 per square metre.
Dissatisfied with the initial award, the landowners approached the Reference Court, which in 2021 raised the valuation to Rs 1,124 per square metre. The Maharashtra state government challenged that enhancement before the High Court, contending that the figure was too high. The state argued that Bokadvira was predominantly agricultural land in 1986 and lacked basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, and industries.
The High Court rejected the state's arguments, holding that the value could not be assessed merely by looking at the facilities present in the village at the time of acquisition. Justice Borkar emphasized that Bokadvira shared the same development plan and purpose of acquisition as neighbouring villages, which was crucial in determining fair compensation.
The court took into account a previous judgment concerning Bokadvira where land value was determined at Rs 1,725 per square metre based on its location and surrounding development potential. The court observed that compensation cannot be assessed in a mechanical or formulaic manner and must be rooted in equality, equity, and justice.
The High Court directed authorities to recalculate the exact compensation payable to the landowners at the rate of Rs 1,725 per square metre, along with applicable interest and other statutory benefits. The Reference Court will verify the calculations before the enhanced compensation is released.
