**Executive Summary:**
This notification, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on May 3, 2023, authorizes specific officers to serve as competent authorities under the National Highways Act of 1956. This authorization pertains to land acquisition for the Greenfield Expressway project, specifically for the stretch between Km 468.4 and Km 528.9 in West Bengal, to facilitate building, widening, and maintenance activities. The authorization is effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Authorization:** Authorizes officers to act as competent authorities under the National Highways Act, 1956.
* **Project Scope:** Pertains to the Greenfield Expressway (Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata).
* **Geographic Location:** Covers the stretch of land from Km 468.4 to Km 528.9 in the state of West Bengal.
* **Purpose:** Land acquisition for building, widening (four/six laning), maintenance, management, and operation of the expressway.
* **Villages Affected:** Lists villages and JL numbers within Bankura and Taldangra that will be impacted by land acquisition.
**Impact Analysis:**
**Central Government:**
* *Impact:* Exercises powers conferred by the National Highways Act of 1956 to authorize officers for land acquisition.
* *Action Required:* Ensure authorized officers are aware of their responsibilities and the scope of their authority.
**Competent Authorities (Authorized Officers):**
* *Impact:* Designated to perform functions related to land acquisition under the National Highways Act, 1956, for the specified stretch of the Greenfield Expressway.
* *Action Required:* Execute land acquisition responsibilities in accordance with the National Highways Act, 1956, and relevant regulations.
**Landowners/Residents of Affected Villages:**
* *Impact:* Land within the specified villages (listed with JL numbers) is subject to acquisition for the Greenfield Expressway project.
* *Action Required:* Cooperate with the land acquisition process and seek appropriate compensation as per the provisions of the applicable laws.
**State Government of West Bengal:**
* *Impact:* The Greenfield Expressway project and associated land acquisition will occur within the state.
* *Action Required:* Facilitate the land acquisition process and provide necessary support to the competent authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways.
National Highways Act, 1956: An Indian law that provides for the declaration of certain highways to be national highways and for the control of such highways.
Greenfield Expressway: A new expressway project for building widening fourSix laning, etc., maintenance, management and operation.
Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata: The route that Greenfield Expressway is taking
WEST BENGAL: A state in eastern India where the land acquisition for the Greenfield Expressway is taking place.
Bankura: A district in West Bengal, India, where land acquisition for the Greenfield Expressway is occurring.
Km. 468.4: Starting point of the stretch of land being acquired for the Greenfield Expressway project.
Km. 528.9: Ending point of the stretch of land being acquired for the Greenfield Expressway project.