Publication of notification under Section 3A

## Report on Land Acquisition for National Highway Development in Uttarakhand **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding the acquisition of land in the state of Uttarakhand for the purpose of building, widening, maintaining, managing, and operating National Highway 07 (NH07). The notification declares the government's intention to acquire land within a specific stretch (Km. 480.950 to Km. 489.350) and outlines the process for affected parties to object to the acquisition. The core purpose is to facilitate the expansion and maintenance of NH07, likely to improve transportation infrastructure. Key findings include the identification of the land parcels to be acquired, the procedures for objection, and the responsible authorities. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II-Section 3-Subsection (ii). The report aims to inform stakeholders about the government's intention to acquire land for NH07 development, the procedures involved, and the potential impact of this action, based solely on the information provided in the given text. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new* policy notification under the existing National Highways Act, 1956. The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to acquire land for the building, widening (two lane with paved shoulder/four laning), maintenance, management, and operation of National Highway 07. **4. Background and Rationale:** As a new policy notification under the existing National Highways Act, this aims at land acquisition, the likely issue being addressed is the need to improve the infrastructure of NH07. The text suggests that the existing highway requires improvements, specifically widening (two-laning with paved shoulders and four-laning are explicitly mentioned), along with general maintenance, management, and operational upgrades. This may be due to increased traffic volume, safety concerns, or the need to improve connectivity within the region. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is a *New Policy* related to land acquisition. The key provisions are: * **Declaration of Intent:** The Central Government declares its intention to acquire land for the development of NH07 between Km. 480.950 and Km. 489.350 in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. * **Land Description:** The notification includes a brief schedule describing the land to be acquired, including survey/plot numbers, type of land (Government/Private, agriculture/non-agriculture), and area in hectares and local units. Two specific land parcels are identified: Plot 2613 (Government, non-agriculture, 0.006 hectares) and Plot 5422 (Private, agriculture, 0.004 hectares). * **Right to Object:** Interested persons have twenty-one days from the date of publication (June 13, 2025) to object to the land acquisition. * **Objection Procedure:** Objections must be made in writing to the Competent Authority, CALA, Chamoli, stating the grounds for the objection. The Competent Authority is required to provide an opportunity for the objector to be heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner. * **Authority Decision:** The Competent Authority will consider the objections and make a final order, either allowing or disallowing the objections. This order is final. * **Availability of Information:** Land plans and other details are available for inspection at the office of the Competent Authority. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders include: * **Landowners:** Individuals and entities owning land within the specified stretch of NH07 (Km. 480.950 to Km. 489.350), particularly those owning Plot 5422. * **Residents of Joshimath and Marwari:** Communities located near the affected stretch of NH07. * **The Competent Authority (CALA, Chamoli):** Responsible for handling objections and making decisions regarding land acquisition. * **Legal practitioners:** Who may represent objectors during the hearing process. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is ultimately responsible for the project, with the Competent Authority (CALA, Chamoli) handling local implementation. * **Timelines:** A 21-day period is provided for filing objections from the date of publication of the notification (June 13, 2025). No other specific timelines are mentioned. * **Procedures:** The procedure involves publishing the notification, allowing for objections, hearing objections, and making a final decision. The land plans are available for public inspection. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this land acquisition is the successful expansion and improvement of NH07. This is expected to lead to: * Improved road infrastructure. * Enhanced connectivity between Joshimath and Marwari. * Potentially increased traffic flow and reduced travel times. * Economic development in the region. * Potential displacement and disruption for landowners whose land is acquired, particularly the owner of Plot 5422. **9. Conclusion:** The notification represents a crucial step in the planned development of National Highway 07 in Uttarakhand. It initiates the process of land acquisition, outlining the rights of affected parties to object and the procedures for doing so. The successful implementation of this notification will pave the way for improved infrastructure and connectivity in the region, although it will necessitate careful consideration of the concerns of landowners and affected communities.

Key Entities Referenced