Ninora Village, Ujjain:
Pillars supporting massive steel structures erected on a base of solid concrete, roads and asbestos toilets have come up almost overnight on farmer Sajjan Singh's 25 bigha farm. The arrangements are being made for a seminar on Simhasth, expected to be attended by dignitaries from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Presidents of Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Activists allege the government has done little to ensure minimum damage to the 3,300 hectares (nearly 8,000 acres) of farm land it has temporarily acquired for the ongoing Simhastha Kumbh mela.
Obviously, Mr Singh is worried. The construction will damage his land and to restore it for agriculture will require more than just time and money. "The problem is that we will not be able to do farming for the next two years as there have been beam columns set up which has disturbed the soil. We have got Rs 1 lakh compensation but will need at least Rs 2 lakh to restore the land," he said.
Social activist Sachin Rai says, "The government has acquired fertile land, it would have been better if they had acquired barren land. Carcinogenic substances like asbestos are being used to make toilets and that will also make the land there barren."
The state government which has already given compensation to the farmers now says it could consider increasing the amount.
Bhupendra Singh, Transport Minister and Simhasth in-charge says, "If there are farmers who are worried because permanent construction happening on their farmland is making it barren, then we will meet them. And, if needed we will give them more compensation."