In exercise of powers conferred by sub section 1 of section 3A of the National Highways Act

## Policy Analysis Report: Land Acquisition for National Highway No. 244 (Goha Village Link Road Section) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a government notification concerning the acquisition of land for the building, maintenance, management, and operation of National Highway No. 244 in the Goha Village Link Road Section in the district of Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. The core purpose of the notification is to declare the government's intention to acquire specific land parcels for this project and to outline the process for affected parties to raise objections. The key finding is that the notification triggers a formal land acquisition process under the National Highways Act, 1956, impacting landowners and residents within the designated area. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a detailed overview and analysis of a notification published in the Gazette of India regarding land acquisition for the National Highway No. 244 (Goha Village Link Road Section) project. The analysis is based solely on the text of the provided notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * This appears to be a *new* policy notification related to a specific project. * **Core Objective:** The primary objective is to acquire land for the "building two lane with paved shoulder etc.,, maintenance, management and operation of National Highway No 244 in the stretch of land from Design Km. 0.000 to Km. 2.016 Goha Village Link Road Section in the district of DODA in the state of JAMMU KASHMIR." This is under the powers conferred by the National Highways Act, 1956. **4. Background and Rationale:** As this is a new policy notification, the likely problem/issue being addressed is the *lack of sufficient land* for the planned expansion or improvement of National Highway No. 244. The notification initiates the process to legally obtain the land needed to execute the project, suggesting existing right-of-way is insufficient or that the project involves entirely new construction in the specified section. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Declaration of Intent:** The core provision is the Central Government's declaration of its intention to acquire specified land parcels. * **Legal Basis:** This intention is declared under Section 3A(1) of the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Objection Mechanism:** The notification establishes a process by which "any person interested in the said land" can object to the acquisition within 21 days of the notification's publication. * **Objection Procedure:** Objections must be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority (Deputy Commissioner, Doda), stating the grounds for the objection. The Competent Authority is obligated to provide the objector an opportunity to be heard (in person or via legal practitioner) before making a final decision to allow or disallow the objections. The Competent Authority's order is final. * **Land Details Availability:** The land plans and other relevant details are available for inspection at the office of the Competent Authority. * **Land Description:** The Schedule provides a "Brief Description of the land to be acquired," including survey numbers, type of land, nature of land, and area in both local units and hectares for specific plots in the Goha Village. This includes both government and private land (grazing and agricultural). **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * **Landowners** within the specified stretch of National Highway No. 244 (Km. 0.000 to Km. 2.016 in Goha Village). This includes both private landowners (agriculture land) and government entities. * **Residents** of the Goha Village area potentially impacted by the highway project. * **Deputy Commissioner, Doda:** As the Competent Authority. * **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:** The initiating agency. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highways Authority of India (implied), Deputy Commissioner of Doda (as Competent Authority). * **Timelines:** A 21-day window is provided for affected parties to file objections. Beyond that, the timeline for land acquisition, compensation, and project commencement is not specified in the provided text. * **Procedures:** The procedure for filing and addressing objections is outlined in Section 3C of the National Highways Act, 1956, as referenced in the notification. The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for hearing and deciding on the objections. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this notification is to enable the acquisition of the necessary land for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the specified section of National Highway No. 244. The potential impacts include: * **Land Displacement:** Landowners may lose their land, potentially disrupting livelihoods, especially for those dependent on agriculture. * **Infrastructure Development:** The highway project aims to improve transportation infrastructure in the region. * **Economic Impact:** Construction activities and improved connectivity may have economic impacts on the local community. * **Compensation:** Affected landowners are entitled to compensation for their acquired land, as determined under the National Highways Act. **9. Conclusion:** The government notification represents a significant step towards the development of National Highway No. 244 in the Goha Village Link Road Section. While it triggers a formal land acquisition process, it also provides a mechanism for affected parties to raise objections. Careful consideration of these objections and fair compensation are crucial for mitigating potential negative impacts and ensuring the successful implementation of the highway project. The notification's significance lies in its initiation of the legal process to secure land rights, a prerequisite for the planned infrastructure development.

Key Entities Referenced