Patna: Farmers and landowners from the Punpun and Naubatpur areas have strongly opposed the proposed Pataliputra Greenfield Satellite Township Development Plan 2047, refusing to surrender their land under the proposed land pooling scheme.
The opposition came during a meeting in Patna attended by Urban Development Minister Nitish Mishra and senior government officials. The meeting reportedly turned heated as landowners raised slogans and expressed their anger over the proposed township.
Landowners Raise Slogans Against Land Pooling
The protesting farmers raised slogans in the presence of the minister and officials, including, “Leave the fields and barns; wage war against the dishonest” and “Bihar Government, come to your senses; arbitrary actions will no longer be tolerated.”
The landowners maintained that they would not give up their agricultural land for the proposed township under any circumstances. They also demanded that the government withdraw the project and reconsider the land pooling proposal.
Farmers Question Government’s Land Policy
The landowners accused the government of attempting to obtain land without the consent of those who own and cultivate it. They argued that the proposed development would affect agricultural land and the livelihoods of local families.
Farmers and landowners unanimously conveyed to the minister and officials that they did not want the proposed satellite township in their area.
Meeting Turns Heated
The government had invited affected landowners and farmers to discuss the proposed project and address their concerns. A large number of landowners attended the meeting, but tensions escalated when discussions turned to the issue of land pooling and surrendering land for the township.
The meeting witnessed heated arguments between some farmers and officials. Efforts by Minister Nitish Mishra and other officials to explain the government’s position failed to convince the protesting landowners.
The meeting eventually ended without a consensus being reached.
Pataliputra Township Planned Near Patna
The Pataliputra Greenfield Satellite Township is proposed to be developed in areas of Punpun and Naubatpur adjoining Patna. The government has proposed the project as part of its broader plan to promote planned urban development around the state capital.
The project is among several satellite township initiatives being planned by the Bihar government to manage urban expansion and create organized residential and infrastructure zones outside Patna.
Land Pooling Becomes Major Point of Dispute
The proposed land pooling mechanism has emerged as the central point of disagreement between the government and local landowners.
While the government is seeking to facilitate planned development through land pooling, farmers have expressed concerns over losing agricultural land and the impact of the project on their existing livelihoods and property.
The continued opposition indicates that reaching an agreement with affected landowners could be a major challenge before the project moves forward.
Government Faces Challenge in Building Consensus
The latest protest highlights the growing gap between the government’s urban development plans and the concerns of landowners in the proposed project area.
With farmers refusing to surrender their land and demanding withdrawal of the proposal, the administration may now have to intensify consultations with affected communities before taking the project forward.
