Nava Raipur Unfinished After 25 Years, Displacing 250,000 Without Adequate Compensation

What the Investigation Found

More than 23,000 hectares of land from 41 villages have been acquired, affecting an estimated 250,000 people. The project, first initiated in the early 2000s, involves the acquisition of more than 23,000 hectares of land from 41 villages located about 17 kilometres from Raipur.

More than 13,000 hectares have been acquired so far from 27 villages. But farmers question the nature of these agreements. Rupen Chandrakar, president of the New Capital Affected Farmers Welfare Committee, says notices were issued by the government in one of the displaced villages, asking farmers to hand over land through mutual agreement, failing which it would be acquired.

The investigation documented a critical allegation: around 2,764 hectares of such land—including ponds, pastures and graveyards—was transferred for the Naya Raipur project, and the land was subsequently mortgaged to the Housing and Urban Development Corporation for a loan of Rs 555 crore. Infrastructure has been built over these areas, including a road passing through a graveyard in Chicha village.

Land Acquisition and Restrictions

In 2005, the government banned land sales in these villages except to the NRDA. Farmers say they had little choice but to sell at the rates offered. Acquisition often took place without proper communication: "Officials come, measure the land and leave. Sometimes they don't even measure. Papers are exchanged and signed between NRDA and tehsildar, and farmers do not even know when their land has been transferred."

After prolonged protests, the restrictions were reduced further. On March 7, 2022, the state government accepted six of the farmers' eight demands, reducing the number of restricted villages to 14.

Compensation and Resettlement

Land acquired by the Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) has later been leased out at significantly higher rates—around Rs 1.14 crore per hectare for residential use and Rs 1.82 crore per hectare for retail purposes. The authority maintains that revenue generated through such leasing is reinvested into the development of the capital.

Two resettlement colonies have been developed—including 20 one-room units in Jhanj-Navagaon and around 200 houses of about 400 sq ft each in Rakhi village. However, some residents say the facilities are inadequate. "I got one room and have been living there with my family of 13 for the past 15 years," says Ghasiya Ram. "There is no proper sewerage or drinking water nearby."

Ongoing Legal Battle

More than 6,000 farmers filed petitions in the Bilaspur High Court in 2011, seeking fair compensation and rehabilitation. Sixteen years later, many cases remain unresolved. "For the past decade and a half, we have only been given dates," one farmer says.

To press their demands, farmers once walked 112 km from Raipur to Bilaspur over four days to file their petitions. They allege that land was acquired forcibly and without adequate compensation. At least four farmers who filed petitions have died while waiting for a resolution.

Project Status and Timeline

The township spans over 8,000 hectares and includes six-lane roads, residential complexes, clubs, a hospital, an international cricket stadium, a new secretariat, the legislative assembly, a jungle safari, a botanical garden and a central park. The authority's master plan slates the capital city to be fully constructed by 2031, featuring six-lane roads, elite housing societies, a Vedanta hospital, an international cricket stadium, a botanical garden and four forested areas. It will also include a new Secretariat and Legislative Assembly. While the roads, Assembly building and stadium are complete, local people say it is highly unlikely that the project will be complete by 2031, given the pace of construction.

Authority Response

The Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) maintains that land was acquired through agreements with farmers. The NRDA says that the development of a modern township alters the character of such land but does not violate existing rules. The NRDA disputes these claims, saying restrictions are meant to protect farmers from middlemen and that compensation is fair.