Publication of notification under Section 3a MoRTH

## Policy Analysis Report: Land Acquisition for National Highway 326 Upgrade **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding land acquisition for the upgradation of National Highway 326 (NH326) from Km.00 to 96, specifically the Chintoor to Motu stretch in Andhra Pradesh. The notification authorizes designated officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition under the National Highways Act of 1956. The key finding is the assignment of responsibilities for land acquisition to facilitate the highway's upgrade to a 2-lane configuration with paved shoulders, affecting specific villages within the Alluri Sitharama Raju district. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a notification published in the Gazette of India on July 7, 2022, concerning land acquisition for the upgradation of National Highway 326 in Andhra Pradesh. The analysis is based solely on the content of the provided notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a new policy implementation regarding land acquisition for highway development rather than an amendment to a previous policy. The core objective, inferred from the text, is to facilitate the upgrade of National Highway 326 from Km.00 to 96 (Chintoor to Motu) to a 2-lane configuration with paved shoulders. This requires acquiring land along the designated stretch. **4. Background and Rationale:** The policy addresses the need for infrastructure development, specifically the upgrade of National Highway 326. The text implies that the existing highway infrastructure is inadequate, necessitating widening and improvement (2-laning with paved shoulders). This upgrade is likely intended to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and enhance road safety along this route. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * The notification authorizes specific officers, as detailed in the Schedule, to act as competent authorities for land acquisition under the National Highways Act, 1956. The Schedule lists the Sub Collector and Revenue Divisional Officer of Alluri Sitharama Raju district as authorities. * The notification applies to the stretch of land from Km.00 to 9.6 Km of NH326 (Chintoor to Motu) in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. * The land acquisition is for the purpose of upgrading the highway to a 2-lane configuration with paved shoulders. * The villages affected by the land acquisition are Tatiyakulagudem, Ratnapuram, Kuyiguru, Kalleru, and Nimmalagudem which fall under Chintoor and Rampachodavaram Taluk/Mandal. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * **Landowners and residents** within the specified villages (Tatiyakulagudem, Ratnapuram, Kuyiguru, Kalleru, and Nimmalagudem) in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Andhra Pradesh, whose land will be acquired. * **The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways** as the governing body responsible for the project. * **The designated officers** (Sub Collector and Revenue Divisional Officer) who are responsible for the land acquisition process. * **Construction companies** that will be involved in the highway upgrade project. * **Commuters and businesses** that will benefit from the improved highway infrastructure. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is ultimately responsible. The Sub Collector and Revenue Divisional Officer of Alluri Sitharama Raju district are directly responsible for the land acquisition process. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification takes effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette (July 7, 2022). The notification does not specify timelines for the land acquisition or highway upgrade. The procedure for land acquisition will follow the guidelines stipulated in the National Highways Act, 1956. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this policy are: * Successful acquisition of land required for the NH326 upgrade. * Upgrading National Highway 326 from Km.00 to 96 to a 2-lane configuration with paved shoulders. * Improved road infrastructure leading to better connectivity, reduced travel time, and enhanced road safety. * Economic benefits due to improved transportation efficiency. **9. Conclusion:** The notification analyzed in this report facilitates the land acquisition process required for the upgrade of National Highway 326 in Andhra Pradesh. The assignment of competent authorities is a crucial step towards implementing the highway upgrade project. This upgrade is expected to have a positive impact on connectivity, transportation efficiency, and economic development in the region. Further information beyond the specific notification is needed to have a more comprehensive understanding of the project's full scope and impact.

Key Entities Referenced