No Change in Land Acquisition Policy Despite Hurdles, Says Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan

• Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan confirmed no plans to alter the land acquisition policy, despite it being a major impediment to infrastructure projects.
• The PRAGATI platform, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, reviewed 3,300 projects worth ₹85 lakh crore, resolving 7,156 out of 7,735 issues.
• Land acquisition accounted for 35% of resolved issues, with forest/environment (20%) and right of use/way (18%) also significant.
• PRAGATI, a decade-old mechanism, reviews projects above ₹500 crore, ensuring timely implementation and inter-ministerial coordination.
• A Said Business School study praised PRAGATI for overcoming bureaucratic inertia and fostering accountability in India's development.

Why It Matters: Government will not change land acquisition policy, relying on PRAGATI to resolve project hurdles.