Publication of corrigendum under Section 3a MoRTH

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to National Highways Act, 1956 Notification **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to a notification under the National Highways Act, 1956, as published in the Gazette of India on November 7, 2022. The amendment concerns a change in the designation of the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition for National Highway 844 in Dharmapuri. The core purpose of the amendment is to replace the District Revenue Officers of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri with the Special District Revenue Officer (LA, NH 844 Dharmapuri) as the designated authority. This report outlines the specific change, its likely rationale, and its potential impact on land acquisition processes related to the specified highway project. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an analysis of a notification published in the Gazette of India regarding an amendment to an earlier notification related to the National Highways Act, 1956. The analysis is based solely on the text of the provided notification and aims to inform stakeholders about the specific changes introduced. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Type:** Amendment * **Original Policy Referenced:** Notification S.O. 257(E) dated 15.01.2020, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Subsection II, dated 17.01.2020, related to land acquisition under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Core Objective(s) (Inferred):** The objective of the original notification (S.O. 257(E)) was to designate competent authorities for land acquisition related to National Highways. The amendment aims to refine this designation for NH 844 in Dharmapuri. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment likely stems from a need to streamline the land acquisition process for National Highway 844 in the Dharmapuri district. The replacement of the District Revenue Officers of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri with a *Special* District Revenue Officer specifically designated for NH 844 (LA, NH 844 Dharmapuri) suggests an effort to centralize responsibility and potentially expedite decision-making. This points towards a possible need for focused attention due to project complexity or urgency, or to provide a single point of contact for land acquisition matters related to this specific highway. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The schedule to notification S.O. 257(E) dated 15.01.2020, specifically the entry at serial no. 1 and 2 in column 2. * **New Rule/Provision:** The entry "District Revenue Officer, Krishnagiri and District Revenue Officer, Dharmapuri" is replaced with "Special District Revenue Officer LA, NH 844 Dharmapuri" at both places in the specified schedule entry. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The primary effect of this change is to designate the Special District Revenue Officer (LA, NH 844 Dharmapuri) as the sole Competent Authority for Land Acquisition for NH 844 in Dharmapuri, instead of the two District Revenue Officers who previously held that responsibility. This centralizes the land acquisition power to a single officer specifically appointed for the purpose of land acquisitions for this national highway. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are: * Landowners along National Highway 844 in Dharmapuri district. * The Special District Revenue Officer (LA, NH 844 Dharmapuri). * Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) officials involved in the NH 844 project. * Contractors and developers working on the NH 844 project. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is ultimately responsible for the implementation of this amendment. The Special District Revenue Officer (LA, NH 844 Dharmapuri) will be the primary implementing authority. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The text does not specify any explicit timelines or procedures. However, it implies that the change is effective immediately upon publication in the Gazette. Subsequent land acquisition activities will now be handled by the Special District Revenue Officer. The original notification (S.O. 257(E) of 15.01.2020) likely details the standard procedures for land acquisition under the National Highways Act, 1956. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is a more efficient and streamlined land acquisition process for National Highway 844 in Dharmapuri. Centralizing the authority in a single, specialized officer should: * Reduce potential coordination issues between different district revenue officers. * Expedite decision-making related to land acquisition. * Potentially accelerate the progress of the NH 844 project. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the notification under the National Highways Act, 1956, represents a targeted effort to improve the land acquisition process for National Highway 844 in Dharmapuri. By designating a Special District Revenue Officer as the sole Competent Authority, the government aims to enhance efficiency and facilitate the timely completion of the highway project. This change underscores the government's focus on infrastructure development and its commitment to addressing bottlenecks in land acquisition processes.

Key Entities Referenced