35% of big project issues due to land acquisition: Cabinet Secy ('NO PLAN TO CHANGE LAND ACQUISITION LAW'), Pg15

Key Highlights:

• Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan stated that 35% of issues in major infrastructure projects are due to land acquisition challenges.
• Another 38% of project issues arise from forest, wildlife, environmental concerns, and right of use/way obstacles.
• The PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) framework has reviewed over 3,300 projects.
• Prime Minister Modi has personally reviewed 382 projects under PRAGATI, resolving 2,958 out of 3,187 issues raised.
• There are no plans to change the land acquisition law, according to the Cabinet Secretary.
• The 50th PRAGATI meeting, chaired by the PM, reviewed five infrastructure projects worth over Rs 40,000 crore.
• PRAGATI has accelerated the implementation of over 3,300 projects with a total value exceeding Rs 85 lakh crore.

Detailed Insights:

• Land acquisition and environmental clearances are major bottlenecks in infrastructure development in India.
• The PRAGATI framework was established a decade ago to address coordination issues and expedite critical projects.
• Public consultation and consent are considered essential, and fundamental regulatory reforms are not deemed necessary.
• Coordination between ministries, government levels (Centre, state, and local), and states is crucial for project success.
• The Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, initiated in 1995, is among the projects reviewed under PRAGATI.
• A total of 7,735 issues have been raised under the PRAGATI framework, with 7,156 issues resolved to date.
• The government aims to balance infrastructure development with the interests of affected people and environmental protection.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Land Acquisition: The process by which the government acquires private land for public purposes, such as infrastructure projects.
• Environmental Clearance: Approval granted by regulatory authorities after assessing the environmental impact of a proposed project.
• PRAGATI: A technology-based platform for monitoring and reviewing critical infrastructure projects and resolving related issues.