Governor stays away from Agra

AGRA - Uttar Pradesh Governor B.L. Joshi Sunday called off his visit to Agra, one of the districts affected by an agitation launched by farmers demanding higher compensation for their land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway.

Joshi, who was scheduled to inaugurate a community radio station of the Agra University — the first by an educational institution in the state, cancelled his visit due to health problems, Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Alok Shekhar Tiwari said.

He was also scheduled to address the concluding session of a hoteliers’ three-day national convention at hotel Jaypee Palace which is owned by the developer building the expressway.

The Samajwadi Party had earlier called for demonstrations during Joshi’s visit. It planned to show black flags to the governor over the farmers’ demands.

On Sunday morning, party workers started assembling near the hotel and other points in Agra ahead of Joshi’s visit, sending alarm bells ringing among the district administration officials.

As soon as the news of Joshi calling off his visit reached officials around 11 a.m. they heaved a sigh of relief as they were anticipating trouble during the governor’s visit, said an official.

Farmers have been demanding a substantial enhancement in the compensation offered to them for their lands acquired to build the 165-km Noida-Agra Yamuna Expressway.

The expressway, which is expected to reduce the driving time between New Delhi and Agra by one hour, will pass through the districts of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Aligarh, Mahamaya Nagar (Hathras) and Mathura.

The project involves acquisition of land in 115 villages.

A total of 2,500 hectare is to be acquired for the development of the expressway — 500 hectares each in Noida, Aligarh and Agra and 1,000 hectares in Gautam Buddha Nagar.