Publication of corrigendum under Section 3A

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to National Highways Act, 1956 Regarding NH-734 in Uttar Pradesh **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to a notification under the National Highways Act, 1956, specifically concerning land acquisition for National Highway 734 (NH-734) in the Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The amendment, documented under S.O. 2249(E), corrects errors in the originally published notification S.O. 644(E) dated 07.02.2025, by revising the land area measurements for specific villages to be acquired. The key finding is that the amendment clarifies the land area required for the project, ensuring accurate acquisition and potentially minimizing legal challenges related to discrepancies in the original notification. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed analysis of an amendment to a notification concerning land acquisition for NH-734, based solely on the text provided. This analysis aims to inform affected parties, particularly those in the Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh, about the specific changes introduced and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This report focuses on an amendment to the original notification S.O. 644(E) dated 07.02.2025. * **Core Objective(s):** The original notification and its amendment relate to the land acquisition process under the National Highways Act, 1956. The objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the construction or improvement of NH-734 by acquiring the necessary land. The amendment’s specific objective is to correct errors in the initial land area measurements, ensuring accurate and lawful acquisition. **4. Background and Rationale:** Since this is an amendment, the focus is on the reason for the change. The amendment is a "corrigendum," indicating the original notification (S.O. 644(E)) contained errors. The specific issue appears to be incorrect land area measurements (stated in square meters and hectares) for properties to be acquired in several villages along the NH-734 stretch. These errors could lead to legal challenges, delays in project implementation, and disputes with landowners. Therefore, the amendment aims to rectify these discrepancies and ensure accurate land acquisition based on correct measurements. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the specific changes introduced by the amendment. * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The schedule outlining the land to be acquired for NH-734 in the villages of Trilokpur, Kakarghata, and Kazipura within the Moradabad district. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment replaces the incorrect land area measurements (in square meters and hectares) with corrected values for each village. For example, in Trilokpur, "0.048 Square meter" is amended to "480 Square meter". This correction applies similarly to Kakarghata and Kazipura. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The primary effect of this change is to provide accurate figures for the land area to be acquired. The corrected values are significantly larger than the originally published, indicating a likely misprint in the initial notification. The accurate measurements are essential for fair compensation, avoiding legal disputes, and enabling the project to proceed based on the correct land requirements. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Landowners in the villages of Trilokpur, Kakarghata, and Kazipura within the Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh, whose land falls within the NH-734 project area. These landowners are directly affected by the land acquisition and compensation process. * The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the implementing agency for the NH-734 project. * Local authorities and government officials involved in the land acquisition process in Moradabad district. * Construction companies and contractors involved in the NH-734 project, as accurate land acquisition is crucial for project execution. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the responsible agency, as indicated by the notification. The PIU (Project Implementation Unit) likely has a role in the actual land acquisition process. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The text does not specify timelines. However, the amendment suggests an urgent need to rectify errors in the original notification to avoid delays. The land acquisition process will likely follow the procedures outlined in the National Highways Act, 1956, including notification, assessment of compensation, and potential dispute resolution. * **Implementation Aspects related specifically to the changes:** The implementing agency needs to ensure that all future actions related to land acquisition (compensation, demarcation, etc.) are based on the corrected measurements outlined in this amendment. Communication with landowners regarding the revised land requirements is crucial. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these specific changes is to: * **Ensure accurate and legally sound land acquisition:** Correcting the errors will prevent legal challenges and disputes based on incorrect land measurements. * **Facilitate smoother project implementation:** Accurate land acquisition is essential for timely project completion. * **Promote fairness and transparency:** Corrected land area measurements ensure that landowners receive fair compensation based on the actual land acquired. * **Improve public trust:** Addressing and correcting errors demonstrates a commitment to accuracy and accountability. **9. Conclusion:** This report analyzed an amendment to a notification under the National Highways Act, 1956, regarding land acquisition for NH-734 in Uttar Pradesh. The amendment addresses and corrects errors in the original notification concerning land area measurements. This correction is significant as it ensures accurate land acquisition, facilitates smoother project implementation, and promotes fairness for affected landowners. This amendment demonstrates the government's attention to detail and its commitment to transparent and legally sound processes in infrastructure development projects.

Key Entities Referenced