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

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to National Highways Act, 1956 Regarding Land Acquisition in Sangrur District **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the National Highways Act of 1956, specifically concerning land acquisition for highway development in the Sangrur District of Punjab, India. The amendment, enacted via notification S.O. 78E on January 7, 2021, modifies a previous notification (S.O. 1486E dated 15.05.2020) by altering the designated nature of land in several villages. The changes primarily involve reclassifying land from “Agriculture” to “Gair Mumkin” (non-agricultural, often wasteland) and vice versa. These changes directly impact landowners in the specified areas and likely affect compensation and usage rights. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of the amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, as detailed in the provided government policy text. This report aims to clarify the nature of the changes, their potential impact on affected parties, and the overall implications for highway development in the specified region. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy Being Amended:** National Highways Act, 1956 and Notification S.O. no. 1486E dated 15.05.2020 * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, inferred from the context of the text, is to facilitate the acquisition of land for the development of national highways. This includes the formal legal procedures required to appropriately categorize land for this purpose. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment likely addresses discrepancies or errors in the initial land classification outlined in the original notification (S.O. 1486E). The change from "Agriculture" to "Gair Mumkin" or the reverse suggests a refinement of the land survey and assessment process. This could be due to updated information on land usage, corrections to previous classifications, or adjustments based on on-the-ground assessments. The amendment ensures the land classification accurately reflects the status of the land, potentially impacting compensation and land usage regulations. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment modifies the land classification for specific survey numbers in the villages of Manak Majra, Ahemdabad, and Ranwa within the Malerkotla Tehsil of Sangrur District. * **Specific Part of the Original Policy Changed:** The "Nature of Land as per notification no. S.O. 15052020 col.6 15.05.2020" section within the schedule of the original notification. * **New Rule/Provision:** The updated land classifications as detailed in the schedule, including changes between "Agriculture" and "Gair Mumkin" (and in one case, a further description of "Gair Mumkin Makaan"). * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The effect of these changes is to re-designate the purpose code for parcels of land identified by survey number. This affects how the land can be utilized and potentially affects the land valuation/compensation offered by the acquiring authority. For example, the amendment shows several reclassifications *from* Agriculture *to* Gair Mumkin, implying the land is not effectively in agricultural use. Conversely, in the case of Hathoa, land designated as Agriculture, the amendment shows that previously it was "Gair Mumkin". **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * **Landowners:** Specifically, those whose land parcels are listed in the amended schedule within the villages of Manak Majra, Ahemdabad, Ranwa and Hathoa, Malerkotla Tehsil, Sangrur District. Their land designations, compensation, and usage rights are directly affected. * **National Highway Authority of India (NHAI):** As the body responsible for highway development, NHAI is directly affected by the amended land classifications, as it impacts the acquisition process and potentially the cost and timeline of projects. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as the implementing body. The "Competent Authority, Land Acquisition" provided the report on which the amendment is based. * **Procedures:** The amendment is enacted through a notification (S.O. 78E) published in the Gazette of India, indicating a formal legal process. The reference to the report of the Competent Authority suggests a process of land assessment and review. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes are: * **Accurate Land Records:** Ensuring the official record of land use accurately reflects its actual status. * **Facilitated Land Acquisition:** Streamlining the land acquisition process by ensuring that the classification aligns with the actual conditions, which will then assist in the negotiation and setting of fair compensation. * **Project Timelines:** A potential decrease in disputes and delays related to land acquisition, which can, in turn, improve the overall timeline for highway development projects. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, detailed in notification S.O. 78E, represents a specific adjustment to land classifications in the Sangrur District. This amendment is significant as it reflects an effort to refine land records and potentially streamline the land acquisition process for national highway development. While the text is limited, its focus on correcting land designations highlights the importance of accurate data in infrastructure projects. Affected landowners and the NHAI will be most directly impacted by these changes.

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