Wealthy Land Grabbers Displace Locals in Kalu Dam Villages
• Revenue Department’s Role in Illegal Land Transfers Exposed
• Farmers and Tribals Demand Justice Amid Rising Land Scam
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Excludive
A shocking land scam has come to light in the villages affected by the Kalu Dam project, where powerful land mafias and wealthy outsiders have illegally taken over submerged lands. An exclusive investigation by Sprouts has revealed that, with the connivance of the revenue department, these lands have been fraudulently transferred to the names of influential individuals, leaving local tribal farmers and landowners displaced and helpless.
The Kalu Dam project is set to submerge 22 villages, with 8 villages completely disappearing underwater. The submerged area includes 1,100 hectares of forest land and 1,100 hectares of agricultural land. However, instead of ensuring proper rehabilitation for the affected villagers, reports indicate that over 80% of the land in the submerged zone has already been purchased by wealthy investors, politicians, and land mafias. The most alarming part is that these transactions are still taking place, with the Murbad Revenue Department allegedly facilitating these illegal land deals.
• Bogus Housing Entries Exposed
One of the most striking cases is in Udaldoh village, where only 24 original tribal families reside, yet official records show 144 house entries, all in the names of outsiders. Sprouts has learned that these fraudulent entries include properties registered under the names of relatives of BJP leaders, former local representatives, and wealthy individuals from Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and Badlapur. This manipulation allows these outsiders to claim government rehabilitation benefits while the real landowners are being driven out.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Across all affected villages, thousands of bogus landowners have been added to government records, ensuring that compensation and benefits are redirected to influential political families rather than the actual displaced villagers.
Also Read: MHADA’s Silence: Saamana Parivar Redevelopment Scam Exposed.
• Demand for a High-Level Investigation
Local political leaders, including Subhash Pawar of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), have demanded a thorough investigation into the fraudulent land dealings and criminal action against the fake beneficiaries. NCP leader Jayant Patil, during a recent election rally, promised to raise the issue in the assembly and ensure justice for the displaced villagers.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Chandane, district president of RPI (Secular), has accused external political forces of orchestrating this land grab, stating that “outsiders have historically exploited the Sahyadri region, and this dam project is just another attempt to rob local tribals of their ancestral lands.”
• Farmers Stand Firm Against the Project
As the government pushes forward with the Kalu Dam project, affecting 3,179 people across 787 families, farmers and villagers continue their agitation, demanding rehabilitation before any construction begins. They have vowed not to let the project proceed without proper resettlement.
This is yet another example of how wealth and political power are being used to manipulate government policies, leaving real stakeholders—local farmers and tribal families—displaced and helpless. Sprouts will continue to track this unfolding land scam and bring the truth to light.