Adani Gets 1,020 Acres of Bihar Land for Re 1/Acre; Villagers Say They Were Forced

Adani Power has been granted 1,020 acres of land in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Bihar, at the token rate of ₹1 per acre to set up a 2,400-megawatt power plant. But a ground report by journalists reveals worrying allegations: villagers say they were pressured, misled, and cheated into selling fertile land under unfair terms. These claims raise questions about land rights, environmental impact, and justice for affected communities.

Project Details & Deal Terms:

• The power plant is proposed to be of 2,400 MW capacity, broken into three units of 800 MW each, by Adani Power Ltd., under a Letter of Intent with the Bihar State Power Generation Company.
• Adani won the contract through a competitive bidding process, offering the lowest supply rate of ₹6.075 per kWh. The total investment (plant + infrastructure) is close to US$3 billion.
• The land has been handed over at Re ₹1 per acre, which is an extremely low nominal value.

Villagers’ Allegations: Forced Sales & Inconsistent Compensation:

• Locals in multiple villages such as Harinkol claim that they were intimidated or pressured into giving up their land. Some say they did not consent at all, yet signatures appear on documents.
• Compensation amounts are inconsistent: some villagers were reportedly paid ₹42 lakh/acre, others ₹60-80 lakh/acre, while many got much less or unclear amounts.
• Villagers allege that fertile land with fruit and timber trees (mango, sheesham etc.) was present, yet it was labelled “barren” in official documents to minimize compensation and justify land takeover.

Environmental & Livelihood Concerns:

• The report underscores the loss of thousands of trees which provided income and ecological balance. Local farmers say the land supports fruit-bearing plants and timber trees essential to livelihoods.
• Major deforestation is expected. Officials reportedly called the area barren in order to clear it more easily. Villagers describe a disconnect between environmental slogans/campaigns and actual destruction happening on the ground.

Legal, Ethical & Social Fallout:

• Some villagers attempting to protest or meet political leaders, including the Prime Minister, assert they were arrested or silenced while speaking out.
• The lack of uniform compensation, possibly forged signatures, and unequal treatment have raised serious ethical questions. Villagers demand that land acquisition be made fair, transparent, and equitable.
• The governance around such deals, how land is valued, classified, purchased, and compensated, is under scrutiny.

Why It Matters:

• The case reflects a broader tension in India: how to balance infrastructure/industrial growth with rights of landowners and environmental protection.
• Such acquisitions impact not only income and livelihoods of farmers and local communities but also ecological systems and food security in rural areas.
• Once fertile lands are lost, returning them or restoring them is hard; loss of trees, soil quality, and intangible cultural fabrics can’t easily be compensated with money.

Conclusion:

Adani’s gaining of 1,020 acres at nearly no financial cost, under circumstances that villagers claim involved coercion and unfair compensation, highlights serious concerns about land acquisition practices in India. While development and energy infrastructure are essential, ensuring transparency, fairness, and protection of environment and rights of local communities is equally vital. If these allegations hold true, the state and companies involved need to address grievances, compensate fairly, and make sure such deals don’t repeat in silence.