India's Infrastructure Drive: New Bureaucrats to Get Land Acquisition Training
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In a bid to streamline large infrastructure projects, the Indian government has announced plans to provide training on land acquisition to all newly appointed district-level bureaucrats. The ambitious initiative aims to minimize delays and conflicts associated with acquiring land for crucial projects such as highways, bridges, and airports. The Narendra Modi-led government has prioritized infrastructure development, aiming to transform India into a developed nation by 2047. To achieve this goal, the Union government has committed ₹11.2 lakh crore for capital expenditure in the financial year 2025-26. District magistrates and collectors, who are at the forefront of land acquisition, will undergo a revamped training program at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. The new module will equip young officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage land acquisition processes, including resettlement and rehabilitation of affected communities. According to data from the Pragati portal, nearly three-fourths of the issues resolved were related to land acquisition, forest clearances, and right of use, particularly in railway and road projects. The move to train all district-level bureaucrats is expected to address these challenges and quicken the pace of industrialization in India. The Cabinet Secretary, TV Somanathan, recently highlighted the need to focus on fixing stickier problems like land policies, which continue to hinder investment. By enhancing the skills of district-level bureaucrats, the government hopes to overcome these hurdles and drive India's infrastructure development forward.
