Publication of corrigendum under Section 3A

## Policy Analysis Report: Land Acquisition for National Highway 4 (NH4) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification (S.O. 1032(E)) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, regarding the intended acquisition of land for the building, widening (two-lane with paved shoulder, four-laning etc.), maintenance, management, and operation of National Highway 4 (NH4) within the state of Maharashtra. The notification explicitly addresses land acquisition within a specific stretch of NH4, Km 771.73 to Km 782.525, in the district of Satara. The key finding is the declaration of intent to acquire land for NH4 improvements, affording affected parties a 21-day window to raise objections. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of the Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Notification S.O. 1032(E) concerning land acquisition for National Highway 4 (NH4), based solely on the information presented within the provided text. **3. Policy Overview:** This appears to be a specific notification under the National Highways Act, 1956, detailing land acquisition for a particular stretch of NH4. Therefore, it represents an *action* under the existing Act. * **Core Objective(s):** As inferred from the text, the core objective is to acquire land for the building, widening (two-lane with paved shoulder, four-laning etc), maintenance, management, and operation of NH4 between Km 771.73 and Km 782.525 in the Satara district of Maharashtra. This aims to improve the highway's infrastructure and facilitate smoother transportation. **4. Background and Rationale:** This notification seems to address the need for infrastructural improvements, including potentially widening (two-lane with paved shoulder, four-laning etc) and maintaining a section of NH4. The likely rationale is to enhance road capacity, improve safety, and reduce travel times along this critical transportation artery, which requires the acquisition of land to achieve these improvements. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** Since this is a notification of intent to acquire land under an existing act, the "changes" pertain to the specified land parcel rather than representing changes to the Act itself. The notification: * Declares the Central Government's intention to acquire land for public purposes related to NH4 improvements in the specified stretch. * Grants individuals interested in the land a 21-day period (from the date of publication in the Official Gazette on March 9, 2022) to object to the land's use for the stated purpose. * Directs objectors to submit their objections in writing to the Competent Authority (Deputy Collector, Land Acquisition No. 9, Satara), outlining the grounds for their objections. * Outlines a process for the Competent Authority to hear objections, potentially in person or through a legal practitioner, conduct further inquiries if necessary, and issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections. The Competent Authority's decision is final. * Specifies that land plans and other details regarding the land to be acquired are available for inspection at the Competent Authority's office. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders are: * **Landowners:** Individuals or entities owning land within the specified stretch of NH4 (Km 771.73 to Km 782.525) in Satara district, Maharashtra. * **Residents and Businesses:** Individuals and businesses operating within the affected area who may experience disruption or displacement due to the land acquisition. * **Legal Practitioners:** Lawyers who may be representing landowners in objection proceedings. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** * Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Central Government) * National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) - inferred from document F. No. * Competent Authority: Deputy Collector, Land Acquisition No. 9, Satara * **Timelines/Procedures:** * 21-day objection period from the date of publication (March 9, 2022). * Procedure for submitting objections to the Competent Authority. * Process for the Competent Authority to hear and rule on objections. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this notification is to facilitate the land acquisition process, enabling the planned improvements to NH4. The potential impact includes: * Improved infrastructure and increased capacity of NH4, potentially leading to reduced travel times and improved safety. * Potential displacement and disruption for landowners and residents in the affected area. * Administrative burden on the Competent Authority to manage the objection process. * Potential delays to the project if significant objections are raised and upheld. **9. Conclusion:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Notification S.O. 1032(E) initiates the land acquisition process for improving a section of National Highway 4 (NH4) in Satara district, Maharashtra. This notification allows for the acquisition of land for the purposes of building, widening (two-lane with paved shoulder, four-laning etc), maintenance, management and operation of the specified stretch. The notification triggers a 21-day objection period, providing affected parties with an opportunity to challenge the land acquisition. The successful implementation of this notification is crucial for the development of the region's infrastructure and transportation network.

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