Publication of corrigendum under Section 3a NHAI

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to National Highways Act, 1956 Notifications **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a corrigendum to existing notifications under the National Highways Act, 1956, specifically concerning land acquisition for the Khammam to Devarapalli Green Field alignment Section of NH365BG in Andhra Pradesh. The amendment addresses a change in the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) and the District name due to the formation of new districts in Andhra Pradesh. The Joint Collector, Eluru District, Eluru, replaces the previous CALA designation, and the district name is changed from West Godavari to Eluru for specific mandals. This ensures accurate designation of authority and location for land acquisition processes related to the project. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an analysis of a corrigendum to notifications related to the National Highways Act, 1956, as published in the Gazette of India on May 6, 2022. The analysis focuses solely on the information provided in the official gazette notification text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment to:** S.O. 3672 E dated 25th July 2018, S.O. No.5148E dated 4th October 2018, S.O. No.4370E dated 3rd December 2020 and S. O. No.2367E dated 17th July 2021 (These are Gazette Notifications of the Government of India in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) * **Core Objective(s):** To update the designated Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) and the associated district name to reflect the new administrative boundaries in Andhra Pradesh and ensure effective land acquisition. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment is likely necessitated by the reorganization of districts within Andhra Pradesh. The formation of new districts requires corresponding adjustments in official records, including the designation of authorities responsible for land acquisition. The text explicitly states: "Due to the formation of new districts in the state of Andhra Pradesh Change in CALA Nomenclature and District Name." This corrigendum serves to align the notifications under the National Highways Act with the current administrative structure, ensuring proper legal and administrative processes can continue. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** The amendment introduces the following changes: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The schedule to the mentioned notifications, specifically column 2 (Competent Authority for Land Acquisition - CALA) and column 5 (District) of Sl. No. 2, relating to the Khammam to Devarapalli Green Field alignment Section of NH365BG. * **New Rule/Provision:** * The CALA is now designated as "Joint Collector, Eluru District, Eluru". * The district name is changed to "Eluru" for the mandals of Chintalapudi, T.Narasapuram, Jangareddygudem, and Koyyalagudem. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** * The change in CALA ensures that the correct official is authorized to perform land acquisition functions related to the specified highway project in the newly formed Eluru district. This clarifies responsibility and avoids potential legal challenges based on outdated designations. * The district name change reflects the accurate geographical location of the specified mandals, aligning the notification with the current administrative map of Andhra Pradesh. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment include: * **Landowners:** Individuals and entities owning land within the specified mandals (Chintalapudi, T.Narasapuram, Jangareddygudem, and Koyyalagudem) of Eluru district that are part of the NH365BG project. * **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** The implementing agency for the NH365BG project, which will need to coordinate with the newly designated CALA. * **Eluru District Administration:** Specifically, the Joint Collector, Eluru District, Eluru, who assumes the responsibilities of the CALA. * **Contractors and Construction Companies:** Businesses involved in the construction of the NH365BG project, as land acquisition progress directly impacts their work. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for issuing the amendment. The Joint Collector, Eluru District, Eluru, is responsible for implementing the land acquisition process. NHAI is indirectly responsible for the project execution. * **Timelines or procedures:** The amendment takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (May 6, 2022). No specific procedures or timelines are outlined in the text beyond this effective date. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these changes is to ensure a smoother and legally sound land acquisition process for the NH365BG project. By updating the CALA designation and district name, the amendment aims to: * Facilitate efficient communication and coordination between NHAI and the relevant district authorities. * Minimize potential legal disputes arising from outdated or inaccurate information in official notifications. * Contribute to the timely completion of the NH365BG project by removing administrative obstacles. **9. Conclusion:** The corrigendum to the National Highways Act, 1956 notifications, specifically concerning the land acquisition process for NH365BG in Andhra Pradesh, is a necessary administrative update. The change in CALA designation and district name, driven by the formation of new districts, is critical for ensuring the legality and efficiency of the land acquisition process. This amendment clarifies responsibilities and aligns official records with the current administrative structure, supporting the progress of the highway project.

Key Entities Referenced