Odisha's Rs 75.6 Cr Package Ends 40-Year Golabandha Relocation Stalemate

After four decades of persistent deadlock, the Odisha government is finally set to resolve the long-standing rehabilitation and resettlement dispute for 1,371 families from Nua Golabandha village in Ganjam district. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is expected to announce a special package totaling Rs 75.6 crore, aiming to provide compensation and vital infrastructure for the displaced residents. This marks a significant breakthrough in a complex issue that began with land acquisition for a defence establishment in 1984. The 'lockjam' stemmed from villagers' refusal to relocate without adequate compensation and proper facilities at the new site. The original 25-acre coastal village was acquired for the Army Air Defence College, established nearby, leading to a protracted struggle for justice. Previous attempts at relocation, even after Cyclone Phailin severely damaged homes in 2013 and the Odisha Disaster Recovery Project built houses at Kirtipur, fell short as residents sought enhanced benefits, highlighting the deep-seated grievances over displacement. The newly proposed special package not only includes Rs 5 lakh for each affected family but also promises essential amenities like roads, streetlights, drinking water, an Anganwadi centre, and a fish landing centre at the Kirtipur rehabilitation colony. While villagers have agreed to the terms, full relocation is anticipated to take about a year as the housing and infrastructure development proceeds. This resolution offers a template for addressing similar long-pending displacement challenges across the country.