The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL), which initiated the bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, offered farmers who donated their lands for acquisition fair compensation. The family of Dahyabhai Halapati gained millionaire status after donating their land for the Vapi, Gujarat, bullet train project.
Dahyabhai Halapati, a farmer in Ambawadi, Vapi of the Valsad district with 5 acres of land, has suddenly become millionaire. He was compensated Rs 1.25 crore for the purchase of his 3 acres of land in the Bullet Train project. Their standard of living has increased, as has the range of available business opportunities.
In the hilly region of Vapi, the second-largest bullet train station in Gujarat after Ahmedabad is being built. Farmer and transporter Dahyabhai Halapati resides next to this train station with his family. Near his home, a bullet train station is being constructed. They owned the land. Mango and coconut trees were also present. The bullet train’s pillars, however, have since been built in its place.
About 3 acres of land in Dahyabhai’s Ambawadi has been acquired by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited. For which he has got Rs 1.5 crore. With the money, he has invested in expanding his transport business. Dahyabhai says, ‘With the money from the land acquisition, I bought 5 acres, a truck and a new car. These cannot be acquired with agricultural income.’
Dahyabhai’s family has become financially sound by giving agricultural land to the bullet train project. The lands of other farmers and house plot owners like him have also gone into this project. The standard of living of those people has also improved as compared to earlier.
Dahyabhai Halapati’s daughter-in-law Ranjan Ben said, ‘My father-in-law got good returns after his land was given to the bullet train project. Out of this, he spent some money and expanded the transport business. New furniture and essential items of life including a car have been bought in the house. Now it has become possible for our children to study in good schools.’
The fact that a bullet train station is being constructed on their own property close to their bungalow, according to Ranjan Ben, is another source of pride. Significantly, Dahyabhai Halapati’s family, which was formerly involved in the agriculture and transportation industries, is now a contented family. He is content that the bullet train project has given him a sizable sum of money.
As many as 1,126 people have been given compensation of Rs 481 crores under the bullet train project. The compensation ranged from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 2 crore rupees. Due to this many farmers have become multi-millionaires. A bungalow has been built in place of an ordinary house. Instead of a bike, he has become the owner of a car.