Publication of notification under Section 3a

## Policy Analysis Report: Land Acquisition for Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway in Jammu & Kashmir **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a new policy notification (S.O. 2840(E)) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, regarding land acquisition for the Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The core purpose of this policy is to authorize specific officers as "competent authorities" to perform functions related to land acquisition for the project. The key finding is the designation of the Deputy Commissioner of Reasi as the competent authority for land acquisition between Km. 554 to Km. 567 within the Katra Taluk/Mandal. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of the policy notification S.O. 2840(E) concerning land acquisition for the Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway in Jammu & Kashmir. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * This is a **New Policy** notification. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective of this policy is to designate specific officers with the authority to perform functions related to land acquisition for the construction, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management, and operation of a specific stretch of the Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. This designation is for the specific purpose of enabling land acquisition under the National Highways Act, 1956. **4. Background and Rationale:** As this is a new policy notification, the underlying problem being addressed is the need to acquire land for the proposed Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project. The text indicates that a stretch of land is "Newly Proposed" implying that this section of the expressway is either newly planned or undergoing changes that require fresh land acquisition. The policy addresses the legal requirement of assigning authority to specific officers for the purpose of acquiring land under the National Highways Act. Without this designation, land acquisition could not legally proceed. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** As this is a new policy, the main components are: * **Authorization of Competent Authorities:** The policy authorizes officers mentioned in column 2 of the schedule to perform functions of competent authorities under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Geographic Scope:** The authorization applies to a specific stretch of land from Km. 554 to Km. 567, Newly Proposed in the Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir. * **Specific Designation:** The Deputy Commissioner of Reasi is designated as the competent authority for the Reasi district, Katra Taluk/Mandal, and Parthal Village related to land acquisition for the specified stretch. * **Legal Basis:** The policy is enacted under the powers conferred by clause (a) of section 3 of the National Highways Act, 1956. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this policy include: * **Landowners:** Landowners in the Reasi district, specifically within the Katra Taluk/Mandal and Parthal Village, whose land falls within the designated stretch of the expressway project. * **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** NHAI is responsible for the construction and management of national highways and will be directly affected by the land acquisition process. * **Residents and Businesses:** Residents and businesses in the surrounding areas who may be impacted by the construction and operation of the expressway. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the responsible agency for issuing this notification. The Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir, is the responsible authority for implementing the land acquisition process within their jurisdiction. The NHAI likely oversees the whole project. * **Timelines and Procedures:** The policy states that the authorization is effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette (July 15, 2021). Specific timelines and procedures for land acquisition are not detailed in this text but would be governed by the National Highways Act, 1956, and related regulations. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this policy are: * **Facilitated Land Acquisition:** The designation of competent authorities will facilitate the land acquisition process for the Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. * **Expedited Project Progress:** Streamlining the land acquisition process is expected to expedite the progress of the expressway project. * **Improved Connectivity:** The completed expressway will improve connectivity between Delhi and Katra, benefiting the region's economy and transportation network. **9. Conclusion:** The policy notification S.O. 2840(E) is a crucial step in the land acquisition process for the Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project in Jammu & Kashmir. By authorizing specific officers as competent authorities, the policy aims to facilitate and expedite land acquisition, ultimately contributing to the timely completion of this important infrastructure project. The designation of the Deputy Commissioner of Reasi is significant for landowners in the area and will directly impact the progress of the expressway construction.

Key Entities Referenced