The process for land purchase for the planned Pune-Nashik semi high-speed railway line was begun earlier last week and the first acquisition deed of the whole project was done on Saturday. According to the authorities, the district collectorate has obtained proposals for land purchase in 12 villages under Haveli tehsil while the land measurement has been done in eight villages while in two villages it has been partly done, notified deputy collector Rohini Akhade-Phadtare. The first land purchase deed was from Haveli tehsil. District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh facilitated Smita Kolte and Chandrakant Gangaram Kolte, who rendered land in Perne village for the project. This project is vital for freight and passenger transport, agricultural products transport, in Pune and Nashik districts and a similar endeavour of farmers is needed to expedite the project. The message that farmers are receiving proper compensation for their land will be conveyed via this first acquisition. As per the officials, the government is providing five times the rate of ready reckoner for purchasing land from owners while two and a half times the assessment amount will be paid for the building as well as other developments. The development of this railway line will be done by Maharashtra Railway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (MAHARAIL), a joint enterprise of the Ministry of Railways and the Government of Maharashtra. This railway line will pass via Ahmednagar, Nashik and Pune districts. It includes 54 villages in four talukas of Pune district named Khed, Haveli, Junnar and Ambegaon. The stations in the Pune district are Manjari, Narayangaon, Hadapsar, Wagholi, Chakan, Alandi, Manchar, Rajgurunagar, Alephata. Among the main stations, Manchar, Narayangaon and Chakan will be agricultural generation and private freight terminals, and Rajgurunagar station will just be for passenger traffic. Image Source Also read: Land acquisition for Pune-Nashik railway line commences