Coldiretti Threatens Protest Over Unpaid Expropriation Compensation

The Anas company has yet to pay approximately half a billion in compensation to about forty farmers who have faced expropriation for the construction of the new ring road, and Coldiretti is preparing a protest demonstration with a road blockade.

The threat comes from Vice Director Carlo Anselmi, who emphasizes the frustration of his members, who already seven years ago relinquished their land for the construction of the bypass.

A few months later, the farmers received, as part of an amicable agreement, 80 percent of the agreed amount. Since then, they have remained in hopeful yet futile waiting for the settlement.

The complications in the expropriation process

The expropriation process has been extremely troublesome, as is often the case. Consider the appeals submitted to the Tar (Regional Administrative Court) regarding the proposed Marmirolo bypass on the Goitese River and the firm stance taken by farmers against the planned railway connections by the provincial administration.

In Castiglione, when everything seemed finally resolved, the issue of unpaid last compensations erupted, which has grown in severity over time.

Coldiretti’s position

The Vice Director of Coldiretti continues with concern: “I do not hesitate to describe the situation regarding the expropriation settlements as serious.

Given that Anas, despite repeated reminders, insists on not paying the remaining 20 percent of the agreed amount, we have written to the prefect and the mayor to involve them.”

Both have contacted the Milan offices of the national roads agency directly. The first has expressed willingness to facilitate a meeting; the second has received assurances that “the head of the Anas division is taking the issue seriously.”

Since then, four more months have passed, but the farmers have still not received their money. For this reason, The provincial federation of Coldiretti has decided on a strong action: if the payment is not made soon, an inevitable protest involving a road blockade will take place.

“At this point,” Anselmi asks, “what else can we do? And keep in mind that all operations have been completed. Even the subdivision has been defined, and, as far as I know, it has already been recorded by the Land Registry.”