Nagpur: The proposed Rs13,700 crore Third Outer Ring Road project has once again encountered resistance from farmers, this time at Meta Umri village in Hingna taluka, where landowners strongly opposed the survey initiated on Thursday, alleging that the administration had failed to disclose compensation criteria despite earlier assurances.The ambitious 148-km-long project, approved by the state govt on September 3, 2025, aims to improve connectivity around Nagpur. However, land acquisition has emerged as a contentious issue, with affected farmers demanding clarity on compensation before allowing surveys on their agricultural land.According to the Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti, farmers gathered at Meta Umri on Thursday and opposed the survey, accusing the administration of going back on commitments made during an earlier meeting with the district collector.The dispute follows similar resistance at Bori Rani village in Parseoni taluka, where farmers had earlier forced authorities to halt the survey. Subsequently, representatives of the Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti and Baliraja Shetkari Sanghatana from various talukas met the district collector to raise concerns over land acquisition.Farmers claimed that during the meeting, the collector had assured them that compensation criteria would be announced before conducting further surveys. They also claimed that the administration had promised not to use force during the exercise.“Despite these assurances, the administration initiated the survey at Meta Umri without clarifying compensation norms. We are not against development, but farmers must receive fair compensation for their land,” the committee said.The farmers demanded transparency regarding land valuation, prevailing market rates and compensation payable to affected landowners before proceeding with acquisition.They also urged the administration to take farmers into confidence rather than moving ahead with surveys without addressing their concerns.Warning of intensified protests, the farmers said the administration must honour its commitments or face stronger agitation in the coming days.The Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti has demanded immediate intervention by the district administration, discussions with affected landowners and suspension of further surveys until compensation criteria are formally announced.
