New Delhi, (IANS) | The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to consider a plea by Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision to grant Rs 264 crore to the Maharashtra government for land acquisition for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. Counsel representing the appellant company referred the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for an urgent hearing, against which the plea was refused. The Supreme Court agreed to consider the matter on February 24.
The Godrej Group had challenged the Rs 264 crore compensation awarded by the Deputy Collector on September 15, 2022 for the acquisition of 39,252 sq m (9.69 acres). The company said it had initially proposed Rs 572 crore and filed a writ petition challenging the provisions of the Act. However, the High Court, in its judgment on February 9 described the bullet train project as one of national importance and public interest and dismissed the petition.
It held that it did not find any illegality in the decision taken by the competent Government to grant compensation in compensation or in exercise of power under the first proviso to Section 25 of the Just Compensation Act.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) is the dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the project, which passes through Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Maharashtra, is being executed by National High-Speed. Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
— IANS