In exercise of powers conferred by clause (a) of section 3 of the National Highways Act, 1956

## Policy Analysis Report: Notification Regarding National Highways Act, 1956 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification (S.O. 2274E) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on June 11, 2021, concerning land acquisition for the State Highway 24 section from Bhaniyawala Dehradun to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. The notification authorizes designated officers to act as competent authorities under the National Highways Act, 1956, for the purpose of building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management, and operation of the specified stretch of highway. The key finding is that this notification enables the acquisition of land for highway improvements by empowering specific authorities to perform relevant functions. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview of the notification S.O. 2274E, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, based solely on the content of the provided text. The purpose is to inform stakeholders about the authorization of competent authorities for land acquisition related to highway development in Uttarakhand. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a new policy implementation under the existing National Highways Act, 1956. The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the improvement and expansion of the State Highway 24 section from Bhaniyawala Dehradun to Rishikesh through land acquisition, enabling building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management, and operation. **4. Background and Rationale:** This new policy implementation addresses the need for improved road infrastructure. The notification implies that the current state of the highway requires upgrades (widening, four-laning) to improve connectivity and efficiency of transport in the region. The existing state highway is likely insufficient for current traffic demands or future anticipated needs, necessitating these improvements. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification does not amend an existing policy, but rather establishes a new implementation. The key provisions include: * **Authorization of Competent Authorities:** The notification authorizes officers listed in the Schedule to perform functions under the National Highways Act, 1956, related to land acquisition. * **Specific Stretch of Land:** The authorization applies to the State Highway 24 section from Bhaniyawala Dehradun to Rishikesh, specifically from Km. 0 to Km. 20.62 in Uttarakhand. * **Purpose:** The land acquisition is for building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management, and operation of the highway. * **Schedule of Affected Land:** Includes a schedule of land acquisition areas covering various villages including Barkotmafi, Ranipokhari Grant, Rainapur Grant Rishikesh, Rishikesh, Ranipokhari, Listrabad Grant, Falsua, Bhaniyawala, Kanharwala, Jauligrant, Athoorwala Doiwala, Missarwala khurd, Lachhiwala, Baksarwala and Sagatiyawala Khurd **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this notification include: * **Landowners:** Individuals and entities owning land within the specified stretch of the State Highway 24. * **Residents:** Communities living near the highway who may experience disruptions during construction. * **Construction Companies:** Organizations involved in the building, widening, and four-laning projects. * **Uttarakhand State Government:** The state government responsible for overseeing the highway development. * **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** While not explicitly mentioned in full, the reference "NHAIPIUVSNTVHR55011RKSHBHNYLA2021" suggests NHAI's involvement in the project. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** Based on the text, the following can be inferred about implementation: * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the issuing authority. Specific officers listed in the schedule annexed in the notification, are designated as the "competent authorities" responsible for land acquisition. The presence of "NHAIPIUVSNTVHR55011RKSHBHNYLA2021" suggests NHAI's involvement but is not fully elucidated in the text. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (June 11, 2021). No specific timelines or procedures are detailed in the provided text beyond the act of land acquisition itself. The competent authorities will follow the procedures outlined in the National Highways Act, 1956. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this notification are: * **Efficient Land Acquisition:** Authorizing competent authorities should streamline the land acquisition process for the highway project. * **Improved Highway Infrastructure:** The building, widening, and four-laning of the highway should improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance connectivity in the region. * **Economic Development:** Improved infrastructure can lead to increased economic activity and development in the surrounding areas. **9. Conclusion:** The notification S.O. 2274E signifies a crucial step towards improving the State Highway 24 section from Bhaniyawala Dehradun to Rishikesh. By authorizing competent authorities for land acquisition, the notification aims to facilitate the execution of essential highway development projects. This will likely impact landowners, residents, and stakeholders involved in the construction and management of the highway. The notification's effectiveness hinges on the competent authorities' ability to efficiently and fairly implement the land acquisition process, as well as the succesful completion of the improvements.

Key Entities Referenced