Publication of notification under Section 3a MORTH

## Policy Analysis Report: National Highways Act Amendment - S.O. 2752(E) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Notification S.O. 2752(E) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on June 15, 2022, which appears to be an amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956. The notification authorizes specific officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition related to the upgradation of a section of National Highway NH548D in Maharashtra. The key change involves designating authorities to facilitate the 2-laning with paved shoulders of a specific stretch of the highway. This amendment aims to expedite land acquisition and infrastructure development. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a concise and informative analysis of Notification S.O. 2752(E), focusing on its purpose, key provisions, and potential impact. The analysis is based solely on the content of the provided text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This notification appears to be an amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956). * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the upgradation of a section of National Highway NH548D by authorizing specific officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition. The goal is likely to improve road infrastructure. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text suggests this amendment addresses the need to expedite the process of land acquisition for highway development projects. The appointment of competent authorities, as described in the text, is likely intended to streamline the process, removing bottlenecks that could delay the project. The underlying problem appears to be inefficient or slow land acquisition processes hindering infrastructure development. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification amends the existing framework by: * **Specifying Section:** The amendment concerns a stretch of land on National Highway NH548D in Maharashtra, specifically from km 195.375 to 208.774 of Sub Divisional Office, Karjat Jamkhed Division,Rashin Road, Karjat. * **Designating Authorities:** It authorizes the officers mentioned in column 2 of the Schedule to perform the functions of competent authorities under the National Highways Act, 1956. The schedule provided includes "Sub Divisional Officer" as one of the authorities. * **Defining Scope of Authority:** These authorities are empowered to act "with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, in respect of the stretch of land specified in the corresponding entry in column 3 of the said Schedule relating to state, districts, taluk and villages mentioned in column 4, 5, 6 and 7". Their authority pertains to land acquisition for the purpose of "upgradation to 2 laning with paved shoulders." **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The direct target audience and stakeholders affected by this amendment include: * **Landowners:** Whose land falls within the specified stretch of NH548D and is subject to acquisition. * **Residents:** Of the state, districts, taluk and villages specified in the schedule in the policy text. * **Construction Companies:** Bidding for or involved in the highway upgradation project. * **Government Agencies:** Involved in road construction and land acquisition, particularly the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the designated competent authorities. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the primary responsible agency. The Sub Divisional Officer is a designated competent authority. * **Procedures:** The amendment empowers the designated authorities to perform their functions under the National Highways Act, 1956, suggesting that existing procedures outlined in that Act will be followed. * **Timelines:** The amendment is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (June 15, 2022). **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these specific changes is: * **Accelerated Land Acquisition:** Streamlining the process by empowering competent authorities should expedite land acquisition. * **Faster Highway Upgradation:** Quicker land acquisition will likely lead to faster commencement and completion of the NH548D upgradation project. * **Improved Infrastructure:** The 2-laning with paved shoulders will improve road capacity and safety on the specified stretch of NH548D. **9. Conclusion:** Notification S.O. 2752(E) represents a targeted amendment to facilitate the upgradation of a specific section of National Highway NH548D. By authorizing specific officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition, the amendment aims to expedite the project, ultimately improving road infrastructure and connectivity in the region. Its significance lies in addressing potential delays in land acquisition, a common bottleneck in infrastructure development projects.

Key Entities Referenced