The Socio-Economic Impact of the Samruddhi Expressway on the Villages of Vaijapur Tehsil: A Study of Utilization of Land Acquisition Monetary Returns

Acquisition of land by a project usually causes loss of land and displacement of habitations warranting rehabilitation of people. But in the present case, the project does not cause dislocation of habitations leading to rehabilitation of people. Prior to the acquisition, the farmers had just enough income to meet the daily needs. So they had very little surplus money and hence they led a miserable life for decades. But after having received the money following type of changes have taken place in the lives of the farmers. The farmers have become self-employment by opening restaurants, on the state highway, the poultry business, grocery shops while others have bought commercial vehicle like trucks, Lorries, JCBs, tractors, pickup vans, goods carriers etc. Many famers utilized the money for developing their land by digging wells, bore wells, constructing new farms lakes, laying pipelines etc. and some have bought bullock too. Large reservoirs have been created at the site excavated for secondary minerals along the Samrudhi expressway. The Samrudhi expressway has caused a great deal of damage to the environment due to the extraction of secondary minerals in the area. It has a protective wall on both sides has hampered the free movement of wildlife. There was a slight increase in the addiction level in these villages. There is a rise in consumption too. Similarly, people are fighting over the distribution of the money. This newly rising rich people in the village has started to lead the village in political matters. If the project is completed, it would be contribute in economy development, fast transportation, reducing journey time and road accidents, improving quality of life of the people/users by providing better, quick and safe commuting