Prolonged Wait for Land Payment Leads to Sit‑in at National Highway Site

A sit‑in organized by eleven property owners in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district has drawn attention to a compensation gap that started in 2018 when the government acquired land for a National Highway linking Baikunthpur and Surajpur. Despite the highway's completion, the owners have not received any financial settlement for the acquired plots.

The protesters assert that the construction was finished shortly after the land seizure, yet their livelihoods were abruptly halted. Over the last eight years they have filed numerous applications with the revenue office, the public works department and the state’s compensation board, receiving only promises of future payment.

The lack of cash assistance has forced many families into debt, with daily necessities becoming a struggle. The crowd at the protest demanded an immediate release of the pending amount and a clear timeline for resolution.

Law enforcement has been present at the venue to ensure the demonstration remains peaceful. However, the participants warned that continued inaction could trigger a larger, more aggressive movement demanding their rights.

The coming days will reveal whether the administration can expedite the overdue compensation and address the grievances of these displaced residents.