Godrej creating unnecessary hurdles in land acquisition for bullet train project: Maharashtra Govt to HC

Godrej and Maharashtra Govt have been embroiled in a legal dispute since 2019 over acquisition of the company-owned land in suburban Vikhroli for the bullet train project

The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. had left no stone unturned to create unnecessary hurdles for acquisition of land, owned by the company, for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project.

A Division Bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Sharmila Deshmukh was hearing a petition filed by Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. challenging an order of September 15, 2022 passed by the State Government awarding compensation to it for land acquisition for the project.

The company, in their petition, sought that the High Court direct the State Government to not start the process of awarding compensation and initiate possession proceedings.

The State Government, in its affidavit filed by Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Jagatsing Girase, termed the company’s allegations as “frivolous, baseless, unwarranted and unsubstantiated”.

It also informed the court that the acquiring body of the State Government has already deposited a sum of around ₹264 crore towards compensation on October 17.

Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, appearing for the State Government, told the Bench that as on date no notice for taking possession of the land has been issued.

The court then posted the matter for further hearing on November 10 and said if and when such a notice was issued, it would grant the petitioner company reasonable time to approach the court.