Central Railway Uncovers Fake NOC Racket in Bhusawal Defrauding Families
A suspected fake No Objection Certificate (NOC) and compensation racket has been uncovered in Bhusawal after Central Railway drone surveys detected several unauthorized structures near railway land. The development has left 17 to 18 illegal structures facing demolition without any financial compensation, after local families were defrauded of lakhs of rupees by middlemen.
According to Central Railway, recent inspections revealed a sharp rise in unauthorized constructions close to the proposed railway alignment. This activity occurred during the ongoing land acquisition process for infrastructure projects.
Middlemen allegedly targeted local families, charging between ₹5 lakh and ₹6 lakh from each household. The racketeers claimed they could arrange the mandatory Railway NOC and assured the families that they would receive hefty compensation packages once the railway acquired their properties. However, these promises were false, and the residents now face the demolition of their homes with no financial relief.
In response to the fraud, Central Railway has issued a strong public warning. The railway administration clarified that any construction within 30 metres of railway land without a valid NOC is illegal. Under the Railway Board guidelines and the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), prior permission is mandatory.
To establish the actual status of the land and prevent false claims, Central Railway has initiated drone and video surveys across the project corridor. These surveys are designed to accurately record the condition of the land before any recent constructions occurred, helping to resolve disputes during the acquisition process.
Central Railway stated that any structures built without the mandatory NOC will be treated as unauthorized and dealt with under applicable rules. The railway emphasized that any subsequent financial loss, demolition, or other consequences will be entirely at the owner's risk.
Additionally, the railway administration has appealed to local Gram Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and planning authorities. It urged them not to approve any construction within the 30-metre restricted zone without verifying the mandatory Railway NOC. Officials also cautioned citizens not to fall prey to agents offering false assurances of permissions or compensation.
