Publication of corrigendum under Section 3a NHAI

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to National Highways Act, 1956 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, specifically focusing on S.O. 4556(E) dated September 23, 2022. This amendment addresses changes in the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), District Name and the name of highway stretch due to the formation of new districts in Andhra Pradesh and a change in NH number. The key changes involve substituting the CALA for specific sections of NH216A and adjusting the land stretch definition. These changes aim to reflect the updated administrative and highway numbering landscape, ensuring efficient land acquisition processes for highway development. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an analysis of the amendment, S.O. 4556(E) dated September 23, 2022, to the National Highways Act, 1956, as published in the Gazette of India. The analysis is based solely on the provided text and aims to inform stakeholders about the key changes, their rationale, and potential impact. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy Amended:** National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956). * **Core Objective(s) (as inferred from the text):** The core objective of the amendment is to ensure accurate and updated administrative and geographical references within the land acquisition process under the National Highways Act, 1956. This includes reflecting the new district formations and updated highway numbers. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment is likely driven by administrative restructuring within the state of Andhra Pradesh, specifically the formation of new districts and a change in National Highway (NH) numbering. The original policy, referencing outdated district boundaries and highway numbers, required updating to maintain accuracy and legal validity in land acquisition proceedings for NH216A. Without this amendment, land acquisition processes could face legal challenges and delays due to inconsistencies between the official records and the policy's referenced data. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section focuses on the specific changes introduced by S.O. 4556(E) of September 23, 2022: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment modifies the Schedule to Notifications concerning the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) and the stretch of land being acquired. Specifically, column 2 (CALA) and column 3 (stretch of land) of Sl. No. 1 and 2. * **New Rule/Provision:** * The CALA for the specified land is now the "Joint Collector, West Godavari District, Bhimavaram" instead of "Revenue Divisional Officer, Eluru" and "Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovvur". * The stretch of land is now defined as "Siddantham-Gundugolanu section of NH216A" instead of "Gundugolanu-Rajahmundry Section" for the mandals of Tadepalligudem, Pentapadu, Tanuku and Penugonda. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** * The change in CALA centralizes the land acquisition authority under the Joint Collector of West Godavari District (Bhimavaram), potentially streamlining the process within the newly formed district. * The redefined stretch of land reflects the new NH numbering (NH216A) and the corrected geographical span of the project due to new districts formation. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the directly affected stakeholders include: * **Landowners:** Individuals and entities whose land falls within the "Siddantham-Gundugolanu section of NH216A" in the specified mandals, as they are subject to land acquisition. * **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** The implementing agency responsible for the highway project. * **Government of Andhra Pradesh:** The state government, particularly the West Godavari District administration. * **Residents of Tadepalligudem, Pentapadu, Tanuku and Penugonda mandals:** These regions will be impacted by the highway project. * **Construction Companies:** Construction firms involved in the NH216A highway project, as the land acquisition directly impacts their project execution. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The primary responsible agency is the "Joint Collector, West Godavari District, Bhimavaram" acting as the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA). The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is also involved, as the notification is issued under their authority. NHAI will also be involved as they are likely responsible for the project overall. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (September 27, 2022). Specific timelines and procedures for land acquisition are not detailed in this amendment text but are likely governed by the broader National Highways Act, 1956, and related regulations. * **Implementation Specific to Change:** The immediate implementation aspect requires informing the relevant district and local authorities of the change in CALA and the redefinition of the land stretch. This will ensure accurate communication and coordination during the land acquisition process. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these changes is to: * **Streamline Land Acquisition:** By designating a single Joint Collector as the CALA, the amendment aims to improve efficiency and reduce potential conflicts arising from multiple authorities. * **Ensure Legal Validity:** Aligning the policy with the current administrative and geographical landscape ensures the legal validity of land acquisition proceedings. * **Facilitate Highway Development:** Accurate and updated references facilitate the smooth progress of the NH216A highway project. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, through S.O. 4556(E) is a crucial adjustment to reflect administrative changes in Andhra Pradesh and NH Number. The amendment updates the CALA and redefines the land stretch description for NH216A. This adjustment is significant for streamlining land acquisition processes and maintaining the legal integrity of the National Highways project, ultimately supporting infrastructure development and connectivity in the region.

Key Entities Referenced