Central Railway Cracks Down on Fake NOC Racket in Bhusawal

A major fake NOC and compensation racket has been uncovered by Central Railway in Bhusawal, with drone surveys revealing several unauthorized structures near railway land.

The Railway has issued a public warning, stating that any construction within 30 metres of railway land without a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) is illegal and will not be eligible for compensation.

According to sources, nearly 17 to 18 structures have been built within the restricted 30-metre zone in the Bhusawal area, allegedly encouraged by middlemen who charged ₹5 lakh to ₹6 lakh from each family.

The middlemen claimed they could arrange the required Railway NOC, promising hefty compensation for the structures if the Railway acquired the land for infrastructure projects. However, sources said these promises were false, and the residents may now face demolition without any financial relief.

Central Railway has clarified that an NOC from the Railway Administration is mandatory before carrying out any construction within 30 metres of railway land, in accordance with Railway Board guidelines and the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR).

Recent inspections revealed a sharp rise in unauthorized constructions close to the proposed railway alignment, particularly during the ongoing land acquisition process.

To establish the actual status of land, the Railway has started drone and video surveys across the project corridor. These surveys accurately record the condition of land before recent constructions and will help prevent false compensation claims and disputes during land acquisition.

In its advisory, Central Railway stated that any construction carried out without prior Railway permission will be treated as unauthorized and dealt with as per applicable rules.

The Railway has also appealed to Gram Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and planning authorities not to approve any construction within 30 metres of railway land without verifying the mandatory Railway NOC.

Citizens have been urged not to fall prey to agents offering false assurances of permissions or compensation and to follow the legal process before undertaking any construction near railway property.

The crackdown on the fake NOC racket is a significant step towards preventing unauthorized constructions and ensuring that residents are not misled by middlemen.

The use of drone surveys is also a notable initiative, as it will help the Railway to accurately assess the land and prevent false compensation claims.

In the context of Mumbai and its surrounding regions, this development is crucial, as it highlights the importance of following legal procedures and obtaining necessary permissions before undertaking any construction.

The incident serves as a reminder to residents to be cautious of agents offering false assurances and to verify the authenticity of NOCs before constructing any structure near railway land.

In conclusion, the Central Railway's crackdown on the fake NOC racket in Bhusawal is a significant step towards maintaining the rule of law and preventing unauthorized constructions. It also underscores the need for residents to be aware of the legal procedures and to follow them diligently to avoid any consequences.