A shocking incident has emerged from the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh, where approximately 3,000 houses were hastily built within two months to illegally claim compensation from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the Singrauli-Prayagraj highway project. This situation poses a significant challenge for both local administration and the government, highlighting the exploitation of government schemes for personal gain.These structures were erected along the highway route by individuals intent on defrauding the compensation payments made when the government acquired land for the project. This elaborate scheme was allegedly orchestrated by land brokers in collusion with local officials. Dubbed “compensation houses,” these buildings feature 4-foot high brick boundary walls and tin roofs that give the illusion of being occupied, yet remain uninhabited. Their sole purpose is to serve the financial greed of the fraudsters involved.In March of this year, authorities announced a land acquisition notification for the construction of a 70-km-long highway in Madhya Pradesh. Consequently, a ban was placed on the sale and purchase of land in 33 affected villages within the Chitrangi and Dudhmania tehsils of Singrauli. This prohibition is standard procedure during highway project approvals to prevent speculation and inflated claims for compensation.How was the fraud exposed?

Once the compensation distribution process commenced, the administration conducted inspections of these houses and discovered that they had been constructed in a remarkably short period. Most of the houses were found to be in poor condition and were clearly built solely to claim compensation. Upon uncovering this fraudulent activity, the administration resolved to take strict action and initiated a thorough investigation.

According to local residents, this entire scheme was orchestrated by a select few individuals who disregarded administrative protocols and rules for their own gain. Local authorities have ordered an investigation, and swift action will be taken against those responsible for this wrongdoing.