Volume-II, Issue-III, February 2026
Novel Insights A Peer-Reviewed Quarterly Multidisciplinary Research Journal |
Volume-II, Issue-III, February 2026 |
Development Induced Displacement and Resettlement in India Rajesh Mondal, Research Scholar, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India Email: rajeshmondal.barjora@gmail.com |
Received: 16.02.2026 | Accepted: 25.02.2026 | Published Online: 28.02.2026 |
Page No: | DOI: 10.69655/novelinsights.vol.2.issue.03W.0 | |
Abstract | ||
Displacement and resettlement due to developmental projects have emerged as a major public policy and human rights concerns in contemporary India. Since independence, large dams, coalmines, industry, power plants, infrastructure construction and urban expansion projects have evited millions of people from their land, livelihoods, communities and social environments. According to various studies, after independence more than 60 million people have been displaced due to development in India of which the proportion of tribals and Dalits are very high. This displacement is not just a physical displacement; rather, it creates multidimensional issues such as loss of livelihoods, breakdown of social networks, cultural erosion, loss of access to common resources and psychological trauma. The article analyzes the historical context of development-related displacement, starting from colonial land acquisition policies to post-independence large-scale industrial and river valley projects. The real picture of eviction and rehabilitation is highlighted through discussion of various incidents, including the Narmada Valley Project, Rourkela Steel Project, Delhi Metro, Tata Nano Project in Singur. The National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Policy (2003, 2007) and the policy limitations, lack of transparency, lack of gender sensitivity and problems of effective implementation are also reviewed. Keywords: Development, Displacement, Resettlement, Rehabilitation | ||