Hanshraj Singh gave away 10 bigha (around 2.5 hectares) of his land at Dayanatpur village in Jewar in 2019 when UP govt began acquiring land to build Noida airport. The compensation of Rs 2.5 crore eased the 70-year-old’s anxieties about displacement and his family’s future.In the months that followed, the world suddenly changed with the Covid pandemic, bringing sweeping new uncertainties and changing outlooks. One of the biggest farmers in the region, Hanshraj needed little convincing when govt approached him again for more land to build roads around the airport. Over 2020 and 2021, he sold his remaining 15 bighas. “In total, my compensation came up to roughly Rs 9.5-10 crore,” Hanshraj told TOI.Around 30% of this money went into buying agricultural land so that he could continue farming. Both his sons are employed, one with police, the other with a private sector firm. “I purchased 10 bigha land in Karoli village (around 18km from the airport) for Rs 28 lakh per bigha,” he said. Hanshraj also bought a 162-square-metre residential plot for around Rs 35 lakh at Sector 16B of Yamuna Expressway to build a two-storey house. Another chunk went into investments. Some more was spent on improving quality of life. There would be no splurging.Families in Jewar that had a cash windfall by giving land for the airport project have been more careful than cavalier in their spends. The shift in lifestyles and acquisition of cars — mostly Thar and Fortuner — came over time. Perhaps it was Covid, perhaps stories from other parts on wasteful splurge of big compensation money that put the leashes on impulse spending.After the first phase of acquisition, cash flowed into Jewar. Two farmers crossed the Rs 10-crore mark, the maximum compensation being Rs 12 crore. Around 30 farmers received payouts between Rs 5 crore and Rs 10 crore. Most of them continue to anchor their future in agriculture, only now with landholdings in neighbouring districts like Mathura, Aligarh, and Bulandshahr. Subsequent acquisitions for utilities have taken compensation upwards of Rs 20 crore for some. The total number of farmers who have received more than Rs 5 crore is, according to officials, around 50-60.Rohi resident Ajeet bought seven bigha land in Aligarh at about Rs 3 lakh per bigha. “I still own four bigha of ancestral land in Rohi that borders the airport site. That land belonged to my father. I have built a new house there and now live with my family,” he said. Ajeet’s main source of income was farming, which he continues to do on bigger land even as the value of his Rohi plot appreciates because of its proximity to the airport. “I have also invested in building a new house and bought a car two years ago,” he added.Beyond land purchases, the payouts have also altered choices, particularly in education. Several families have enrolled their children in private schools because they can afford the fees. The problem is there aren’t enough. In Jewar block, only Hamidpur has two private schools. Otherwise, they have to travel to Greater Noida, which is around 40km away.Upward mobility and the development in the area has also led to change in thought. “My daughters are pursuing higher studies. One of them is doing her BA and the other her BBA. With the airport in place, I believe they will get jobs,” said Ajeet, who thought of getting them married as soon as they came of age.Harinder Singh from Rohi has also chosen to continue farming and opted for monetary compensation instead of a job offer during land acquisition. He owned 12 bighas in Rohi, for which he received around Rs 2.4 crore. “I preferred to continue farming as it is my profession, so I took the extra compensation of Rs 5 lakh instead of a job. I reinvested most of the amount in agricultural land. For around Rs 2 crore, I bought 60 bigha land in Bulandshahr. I spent about Rs 20 lakh on building a house and deposited another Rs 20 lakh in a fixed deposit at a bank,” he said. Singh still owns 10 bigha land in Rohi on which he continues to farm.“Many families are financially more secure. New houses have come up, SUVs have replaced older vehicles, and families are spending more on education,” said Daryab Singh, a resident of Rohi.However, he said job opportunities need to improve. “At least 335 candidates who did not take Rs 5 lakh compensation and opted for jobs are still awaiting permanent employment. There is also uncertainty for those whose land remains near the airport as people worry more land may be acquired in future phases. We are hopeful about development, but there is also concern about long-term job and livelihood prospects,” he added.
