Palghar Tribal Farmers Get Enhanced Compensation of 25.43 Lakh Per Hectare
The Maharashtra Government has approved an enhanced compensation package of approximately ₹25.43 lakh per hectare for tribal landholders and families affected by the Deharji Medium Project in Vikramgad Taluka, Palghar district. The revised framework aims to ensure fair compensation for tribal farmers in affected villages, including Khuded, Sakhare, and Jambhe, whose lands are being acquired for the major drinking water initiative.
The project, which commenced on November 11, 2022, is a long-term water supply initiative for the region and is already 85 percent complete. Once operational, it will create a storage capacity of 95.60 million cubic meters to supply drinking water to nearly 15 lakh residents in the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) area and surrounding parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
During the land acquisition process, local representatives and affected villagers raised concerns that the standard Ready Reckoner rates and recorded market values did not reflect actual land values in tribal areas where formal land transactions are sparse. In response, authorities agreed to use land transaction values from the nearby Malwada village as a special benchmark under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Palghar District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar and the district administration coordinated with the State Government to secure this revised compensation structure. Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, MLA Harishchandra Bhoye, and MP Dr. Hemant Savara also supported the demands of the affected tribal families.
Rehabilitation planning has progressed alongside the compensation measures. The rehabilitation plan for affected persons in Sakhare and Khuded was approved by the Divisional Commissioner, Konkan Division, on February 16, 2026. The administration expects to develop infrastructure and complete the rehabilitation of affected families within 18 months after technical approvals for civic amenities are finalized. Additionally, the MMRDA and the Water Resources Department are constructing nine Kolhapur Type weirs on the Deharji River to improve local water conservation.
