Publication of corrigendum under Section 3a NHAI

## Report on Amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, as published in the Gazette of India on August 23, 2022. The amendment, referenced as S.O. 3956(E), focuses on rectifying errors in the Gazette Notifications concerning land allocation for the Gundugolanu Siddantham section of NH216A. The key changes involve correcting the stretch of land's kilometer markers and the district name associated with the affected mandals. This report details the rationale, specific changes, and likely impact of this amendment, particularly for stakeholders in the affected region. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a clear and concise overview of the amendment, referenced as S.O. 3956(E), to the National Highways Act, 1956, published on August 23, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the provided text from the Gazette of India. The purpose is to inform affected industries and stakeholders about the changes and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** The amendment modifies the Gazette Notifications published vide S. O. No.643 E dated 29th March 2012, related to land acquisition under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Core Objective(s):** The original policy's objective, as inferred from the amendment text, is to facilitate land acquisition for the development and maintenance of national highways. This specific amendment aims to ensure the accuracy of land allocation details within those notifications. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment addresses inaccuracies identified in the initial Gazette Notifications regarding the Gundugolanu Siddantham section of NH216A. The text suggests that the original notifications, specifically S. O. No. 643(E) dated 29th March 2012, contained errors in the kilometer markers designating the stretch of land and the district name for Undrajvaram and Peravalli mandals. This amendment is likely required to correct these errors to align with actual land boundaries and administrative divisions, which is due to the formation of new districts. Accurate land designation is crucial for smooth project implementation and to prevent disputes over land ownership and compensation. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment specifically addresses errors in the previously published Gazette Notifications. * **Specific Part Changed:** The amendment revises "column 3 of Sl. No.2 relating to stretch of land" and "column 4 of Sl. No.2 relating to District" in the Schedule to the original Gazette Notification. * **New Rule/Provision:** * The stretch of land designation is changed from "Km.979.13 to Km.949.800 of Gundugolanu Rajahmundry Section" to "Km969000 to 953300 of Gundugolanu Siddantham section of NH216A." * The district name is changed from "West Godavari" to "East Godavari District" for the mandals of Undrajvaram and Peravalli. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** * The correction of kilometer markers ensures accurate identification of the land parcel intended for acquisition and use for the highway project. * The change in district name reflects the updated administrative boundaries, ensuring correct jurisdictional alignment for land acquisition processes. It removes the previous name/section and replaces it with the new name/section. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary stakeholders directly affected by this amendment include: * Landowners within the corrected kilometer stretch (Km969000 to 953300) of the Gundugolanu Siddantham section of NH216A. * Residents of Undrajvaram and Peravalli mandals in East Godavari District. * The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). * Relevant government departments and agencies involved in land acquisition and highway construction. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are the responsible bodies. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment takes effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette (August 23, 2022). The amendment necessitates that all future actions, including land acquisition, compensation, and project implementation, adhere to the corrected details. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this amendment is to rectify errors in the original Gazette Notifications, leading to: * Accurate land identification for the Gundugolanu Siddantham section of NH216A. * Reduced risk of legal challenges and disputes related to land acquisition due to inaccurate information. * Streamlined land acquisition processes and efficient project implementation within the correct jurisdictional boundaries. * Appropriate compensation and resettlement for affected landowners based on accurate records. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, published on August 23, 2022, addresses critical inaccuracies in the Gazette Notifications concerning the Gundugolanu Siddantham section of NH216A. By correcting the kilometer markers and district name, the amendment ensures accuracy in land records and administrative alignment. This correction is crucial for fair compensation, smooth project implementation, and minimizing potential disputes. The amendment is a significant step towards efficient highway development in the region.

Key Entities Referenced