Petition against acquisition of house by Metro company

The Gujarat High Court today issued notices to the Metro-Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad Company Ltd (MEGA) and the city civic body over a petition against land acquisition in Vastral area here for the Metro project.
The petitioner Rajubhai Patel, resident of Vastral, alleges that MEGA (which is constructing the Metro) is acquring houses in the area, including his own, for 'road widening' under the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation Act which does not provide for compensation.
Unlike Land Acquisition Act, BPMC Act has no provision for social impact assessment and hearing objections by the affected persons, the petition says, adding that to acquire the land in this way was a misuse of power.

Before this, a petition has been filed by 22 persons who own houses or shops in Jivraj Park Society after MEGA initiated the process to acquire their properties.
Justice A J Desai posted the matter for hearing after the summer vacation after issuing notices.