Publication of notification under Section 3a MORTH

## Report on National Highways Act Notification S.O. 2687(E) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Notification S.O. 2687(E) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on June 10, 2022. This notification pertains to land acquisition for the construction of a High-Level Extradosed Cable bridge on the River Ganga, parallel to the existing Digha-Sonepur Rail-cum-Road bridge, on National Highway NH139W in the state of Bihar. The key finding is the authorization of specific officers as competent authorities to oversee land acquisition for this project, affecting land in the districts of Patna and Saran. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative overview of Notification S.O. 2687(E) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, based solely on the text provided. This report aims to outline the policy's objective, key provisions, affected stakeholders, and potential impact, as can be inferred from the given document. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new* policy notification. * **Core Objective(s):** As inferred from the text, the core objective is to facilitate land acquisition for the construction of a High-Level Extradosed Cable bridge on River Ganga parallel to Western side 180 meter upstream of DighaSonepur RailcumRoad bridge under District Patna District Saran on national Highway No NH139W 46 lane, etc. for Construction, maintenance, management, and operation in the State of Bihar. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **New Policy:** The notification addresses the need to acquire land for the construction of a new bridge. The construction of a High-Level Extradosed Cable bridge on River Ganga parallel to Western side 180 meter upstream of DighaSonepur RailcumRoad bridge under District Patna District Saran on national Highway No NH139W suggests the existence of infrastructure needs related to connectivity and transportation. The new bridge is likely intended to improve transportation efficiency, reduce congestion on the existing bridge, and enhance regional connectivity. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **New Policy:** * The notification authorizes officers mentioned in column 2 of the Schedule as the competent authorities under the National Highways Act, 1956. * This authorization is effective from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette (June 10, 2022). * The authorization relates to land acquisition for the construction of a cable bridge on the River Ganga. * The affected land stretches from Km 11.610 (Design Ch 0.000) to Km 19.500 (Design Ch 7.890) of NH139W. * The land falls under the jurisdiction of the districts of Patna and Saran in the state of Bihar. * The notification specifies the taluks/mandals and villages affected by the land acquisition, including Sonepur (Chausia and Bharanpura villages) and Patna Sadar (Digha Diyara village). * The project involves the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of the bridge. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the following are directly affected: * Landowners in the specified stretches of NH139W, particularly in the villages of Chausia, Bharanpura, and Digha Diyara. * Residents and businesses in the districts of Patna and Saran who may benefit from improved transportation infrastructure. * The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. * The designated "competent authorities" (District Land Acquisition Officers) in Patna and Saran. * Construction companies involved in the bridge project. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the responsible agency. The District Land Acquisition Officers of Patna and Saran are designated as the competent authorities for land acquisition. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification is effective immediately upon publication. The procedures for land acquisition will follow the guidelines outlined in the National Highways Act, 1956. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** * **New Policy:** The intended outcomes of this policy include: * Acquisition of land required for the construction of the cable bridge. * Expedited construction of the bridge due to clear authorization of competent authorities. * Improved transportation infrastructure and connectivity between Patna and Saran. * Economic development in the region due to enhanced transportation links. * Reduced congestion on the existing Digha-Sonepur Rail-cum-Road bridge. **9. Conclusion:** Notification S.O. 2687(E) signifies a key step in the development of transportation infrastructure in Bihar. By authorizing specific officers to oversee land acquisition, the notification aims to facilitate the timely construction of a new cable bridge on the River Ganga. This bridge is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Patna and Saran, fostering economic growth and regional development. The notification's impact will primarily be felt by landowners and residents in the affected areas, as well as construction companies and the transportation industry in the region.

Key Entities Referenced