What land is being acquired and where
The land is being taken for the expansion of a mine by NLC India at Valayamadevi. All of it lies in Cuddalore district, in two taluks: Bhuvanagiri and Vridhachalam.
In total, 21 survey numbers are covered across 3 villages. Two of the villages, Valayamadevi (Kil) and Valayamadevi (Mel), are in Bhuvanagiri taluk. The third, U.Athanur, is in Vridhachalam taluk.
The acquisition is being made under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997. This is a State law, and the notices have been published in the State Gazette, not the Gazette of India.
The notices and their stage
Six notices have been issued for this project. All six are recorded as notifications under the 1997 Act. The first was dated 17 July 2018. The other five followed in 2022, on 23 March, 29 March, 8 April, 16 May and 25 May.
Under the 1997 Act, the key step is a notice under section 3(1). By that notice the State Government acquires the land for an industrial purpose. Under the Act, once such a notice is published, the land vests in the Government free from all encumbrances. In practice, this means the land is treated as acquired from that point, and the owner's remaining right is to compensation.
The notice dated 23 March 2022 was corrected later. If your land falls in that notice, read the correction together with the original, because the survey number, extent or owner details may have changed.
None of the six notices has been fully withdrawn. The records do not show the compensation awarded, possession, or payment status. These must be confirmed with the office of the Collector of Cuddalore or the land acquisition officer handling the project.
Villages covered
Valayamadevi (Kil), Bhuvanagiri taluk: 12 survey numbers. None withdrawn.
Valayamadevi (Mel), Bhuvanagiri taluk: 7 survey numbers. None withdrawn.
U.Athanur, Vridhachalam taluk: 2 survey numbers. None withdrawn.
These are the only villages covered by the notices for this project. A listed survey number may be covered in full or only in part. The notice itself states the subdivision and extent, so always check the exact entry.
What to do if your land is listed
First, obtain a copy of the Gazette notice that names your survey number. If it is the notice of 23 March 2022, also obtain the later correction. Compare the survey number, subdivision, extent and the name recorded as owner with your patta and chitta.
Second, make sure the revenue records are in your name. Compensation is paid to the person whose title is accepted. If a transfer, inheritance or partition has not yet been entered, take it up with the Taluk office at Bhuvanagiri or Vridhachalam and with the land acquisition officer.
Third, ask the land acquisition officer about the award, the amount fixed for your holding and when payment will be made. Keep written copies of every application and reply.
If you are a buyer, do not purchase a survey number listed in these notices without written confirmation from the authorities of its present status. Once a section 3(1) notice is published, the land vests in the Government, and a seller generally cannot pass on good title to the acquired portion.