Private Property Rights in Land Acquisition

Abstract

Dealing with land acquisition is like navigating a complex space filled with challenges that arise from the clash between public interest and private property rights. Imagine a thriving society on the brink of a transformative progress, where the promise of new roads, hospitals, and vital infrastructure hangs in the balance. On the other side, picture a family whose roots run deep into the soil of a plot they've called home for generations, facing the unsettling prospect of displacement. This delicate dance between the collective welfare of society and the inherent rights of private landowners is at the heart of the debate surrounding land acquisition—a discourse that transcends boundaries, challenging us to redefine the very essence of progress or development. Land acquisition for public purpose means the intersection of interests of the private landowners, government and community. This intersection of interests gives rise to the number of challenges such as conflict of compensation, Resistance from landowners, opposition by the local community, difficulty in integrating the land acquisition with city planning or development projects, and concerns about the impact on the environment. This article critically examines conflicts that emerge at this intersection and key issues in land acquisition.