Publication of corrigendum under Section 3A NHAI

## Policy Analysis Report: Corrigendum to Notification S.O. 1902(E) Regarding Land Acquisition for NH-23 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a corrigendum issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways concerning land acquisition for National Highway 23 (NH-23) in the state of Jharkhand. The corrigendum, referenced as F. No. NHAIPIURNCRPNH23LA3a3A Corr., specifically addresses a previous notification S.O. 1902(E) dated 21st April, 2022. The core purpose of the amendment is to correct the land classification for specific plots identified for acquisition, changing the classification from "Government Gair Majaruwa Malik" to "Private Raiyati" for Plot Nos. 672 and 747. This correction ensures accurate land records and potentially affects compensation and acquisition procedures for the landowners involved. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a clear and concise analysis of the corrigendum issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding land acquisition for NH-23, based solely on the provided text of the corrigendum. The analysis focuses on the purpose, changes, and potential implications of the amendment. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This document is a corrigendum, meaning it amends a previous notification, S.O. 1902(E) dated 21st April, 2022, which itself concerned land acquisition for NH-23. * **Core Objective(s):** The underlying objective of the original notification is the acquisition of land for the building, widening (two-lane with paved shoulder, four-laning), maintenance, management, and operation of NH-23. The corrigendum's specific objective is to correct an error in the land classification records associated with this acquisition. **4. Background and Rationale:** As this is an amendment, the rationale focuses on the reason for the change. The amendment appears to be necessary due to inaccuracies in the original notification regarding the classification of land for specific plots (Plot Nos. 672 and 747). The original notification incorrectly classified these plots as "Government Gair Majaruwa Malik" land, while the corrigendum states that they should be classified as "Private Raiyati." This correction is crucial as it significantly impacts ownership and associated compensation entitlements. The original error likely stemmed from inaccurate land surveys or record keeping at the time of the initial notification. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The corrigendum directly changes the description of land type for Plot Nos. 672 and 747 within the original notification S.O. 1902(E) dated 21st April, 2022. * **New Rule/Provision:** The new provision is that the land type for Sl. No. 1, Plot no. 672 and Sl. No. 4 Plot no. 747, must be read as “Private Raiyati” instead of “Government Gair Majaruwa Malik.” * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The change in land classification from "Government Gair Majaruwa Malik" to "Private Raiyati" has significant implications. "Government Gair Majaruwa Malik" land is generally understood as government-owned land, whereas "Private Raiyati" land is privately owned. The correction acknowledges private ownership, which will trigger the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956 regarding compensation and resettlement for private landowners whose land is being acquired for public purposes. This likely increases the cost of the project and requires following due process for acquiring private land. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this change are: * **Landowners of Plot Nos. 672 and 747:** The correction directly impacts their rights and entitlements regarding compensation for the land being acquired. * **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** The NHAI is responsible for the acquisition and construction and will need to adjust its plans and budget to reflect the change in land ownership and associated compensation requirements. * **District Land Acquisition Officer, Ranchi:** This officer is the Competent Authority and responsible for implementing the acquisition process, including determining compensation and resolving objections. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for issuing the corrigendum. The District Land Acquisition Officer in Ranchi is responsible for implementing the land acquisition process. The NHAI is presumably responsible for executing the overall highway project. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The original notification (S.O. 1902E) included a 21-day period for objections. It's unclear from this text if this corrigendum re-opens the objection period. However, the corrected land classification will necessitate a review of compensation assessments and potentially trigger new negotiations with the landowners. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this specific change is to: * Ensure accurate land records and compliance with legal requirements for land acquisition. * Facilitate a fair and just compensation process for the affected landowners, minimizing potential legal challenges and project delays. * Enable the NHAI to proceed with the NH-23 project based on correct land ownership data. **9. Conclusion:** The corrigendum to notification S.O. 1902(E) represents a crucial correction to land records for the NH-23 project. While seemingly a minor administrative change, the reclassification of land ownership from government to private significantly impacts the rights of landowners and the responsibilities of the acquiring authorities. The correction is essential for ensuring a transparent and legally sound land acquisition process, thereby facilitating the smooth progress of the NH-23 infrastructure project. While not detailed in this text, further information is required regarding compensation amounts offered to these owners.

Key Entities Referenced