Publication of corrigendum under Section 3a NHAI

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to National Highways Act, 1956 Regarding Land Acquisition in Andhra Pradesh **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, specifically concerning land acquisition for the Gundugolanu Kovvuru Section in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The amendment, enacted through notification S.O. 3608(E) dated August 1, 2022, alters the designated Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) and corrects the District name. The amendment appears to be a direct consequence of the formation of new districts within Andhra Pradesh, necessitating adjustments to administrative roles and geographical designations. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a detailed analysis of the amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, as published in the Gazette of India on August 1, 2022, via notification S.O. 3608(E). The analysis focuses on understanding the changes introduced by the amendment, its rationale, and potential implications for stakeholders. The report is based solely on the information provided in the given text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** The amendment modifies previous Gazette Notifications of the Government of India in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways published vide S. O. 2289(E) dated 1st July 2016, related to land acquisition under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Core Objective(s) (Inferred):** The primary objective of the original policy (as inferred from the amendment) is to facilitate land acquisition for national highway projects under the National Highways Act, 1956. The amendment's objective is to ensure that the administrative structure and geographical designations used in the land acquisition process align with the updated district boundaries in Andhra Pradesh and the correct identification of authorities. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Rationale for Amendment:** The amendment is a direct response to the formation of new districts in Andhra Pradesh. This restructuring necessitates changes to the designated Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) and corrections to district names in official notifications. The amendment ensures the land acquisition process aligns with the current administrative and geographical realities in the region. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the specific changes introduced by the amendment text: * **Change 1:** The Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) for Sl. No.1 (relating to Competent Authority for Land Acquisition CALA) is changed. * **Original:** Revenue Divisional Officer, Eluru. * **New:** Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovvur, East Godavari District. * **Effect:** The responsibility for land acquisition pertaining to Sl. No.1 shifts from the Revenue Divisional Officer of Eluru to the Revenue Divisional Officer of Kovvur, East Godavari District. * **Change 2:** The district name for Sl. No.2 (relating to District) is corrected for specific mandals. * **Original:** West Godavari. * **New:** East Godavarai, for the mandals Nallajarla, Devarapalli, Gopalapuram, Kovvuru, and Chagallu, related to the stretch from Km. 34.860 to Km.85.204 of the Gundugolanu Kovvuru Section. * **Effect:** All references to "West Godavari" regarding the specified mandals within the Gundugolanu Kovvuru Section are replaced with "East Godavarai". This ensures accurate geographical representation in the land acquisition documentation. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the following are the most directly affected: * **Landowners and residents within the Nallajarla, Devarapalli, Gopalapuram, Kovvuru, and Chagallu mandals of East Godavari district,** specifically those impacted by the Gundugolanu Kovvuru Section project between Km. 34.860 and Km. 85.204. * **The Revenue Divisional Officer of Kovvur, East Godavari District,** who now assumes responsibility as the CALA. * **The Revenue Divisional Officer of Eluru**, who no longer assumes responsibility as the CALA. * **NHAI:** National Highways Authority of India **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is ultimately responsible. The Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), now the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovvur, is directly responsible for implementing the land acquisition process within their jurisdiction. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment takes effect "from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette," meaning August 1, 2022. Specific procedures are not detailed in the provided text but would presumably follow the standard protocols established under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Changes-Specific Implementation:** The immediate action required is for the Ministry to update all relevant documentation and databases to reflect the change in CALA and the corrected district name. The Revenue Divisional Officer of Kovvur needs to prepare to assume their new responsibilities. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these changes is to: * **Ensure Accurate Land Acquisition:** By aligning the responsible authority and geographical designations with the current administrative map of Andhra Pradesh, the amendment aims to ensure a smoother and legally sound land acquisition process for the Gundugolanu Kovvuru Section project. * **Maintain Project Continuity:** By swiftly addressing the administrative changes required by the formation of new districts, the amendment seeks to prevent delays or legal challenges that could arise from outdated or inaccurate information. * **Improve Administrative Efficiency:** The updated designations should streamline communication and coordination between government agencies and stakeholders involved in the land acquisition process. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, detailed in notification S.O. 3608(E) is a necessary update driven by the formation of new districts in Andhra Pradesh. It ensures the land acquisition process for the Gundugolanu Kovvuru Section project reflects the current administrative realities. While the specific impact of the changes is limited to the affected region, it underscores the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date administrative information in infrastructure projects. The amendment’s timely implementation is crucial for the efficient and legally sound progression of the highway project.

Key Entities Referenced