Publication of notification under Section 3a NHAI

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to National Highways Act, 1956 Regarding NH-71 in Andhra Pradesh **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to notifications under the National Highways Act, 1956, specifically concerning land acquisition for National Highway No. 71 in Andhra Pradesh. The amendment, enacted on June 13, 2022, addresses the realignment of administrative boundaries due to the formation of new districts in Andhra Pradesh. The key change involves updating the schedule of affected Taluks/Mandals/Villages to reflect the shift of certain areas from Chittoor District to Annamayya District. The report details the changes, target stakeholders, and expected impact of this amendment. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a detailed analysis of an amendment to notifications related to the National Highways Act, 1956, as published in the Gazette of India on June 13, 2022. The analysis focuses solely on the information presented within the provided policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment to:** S.O. 2520E, dated the 8th August 2017; S.O. 1702 E, dated the 17th April 2018; and S.O. 1786 E, dated the 12th April 2022. These notifications likely pertain to previous land acquisitions for National Highway No. 71. * **Core Objective(s):** To ensure accurate land acquisition records and processes related to National Highway No. 71 in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting the updated administrative boundaries of the state. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment is necessitated by the restructure and formation of new districts by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Specifically, the Taluks/Mandals Madanapalli, Vayalpadu, Kalikiri, and Piler, formerly in Chittoor District, are now part of Annamayya District. This change requires updating the relevant notifications to reflect the correct administrative jurisdiction for land acquisition purposes. A previous amendment (S.O. 2450 E, dated the 30th May 2022) already addressed the Taluks/Mandals falling in Annamayya District; this amendment likely addresses the remaining affected areas. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This policy is an amendment. The key change introduced by the amendment is the substitution of the Schedules for the remaining Taluks/Mandals/Villages in the aforementioned notifications. Specifically, it updates the schedule to reflect the current location of Rompicherla, Sodam, Bandakindapalli, and Vootupalle as still within Chittoor District. * **Original Policy Part Changed:** The "Schedules" section within previous notifications (S.O. 2520E, S.O. 1702 E, S.O. 1786 E) detailing land acquisition information for National Highway 71. * **New Rule/Provision:** The Schedules are substituted to reflect the current location of Rompicherla, Sodam, Bandakindapalli, and Vootupalle as still within Chittoor District. * **Difference/Effect:** The change ensures that land acquisition activities are conducted based on the current and accurate administrative boundaries. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders include: * **Landowners and residents** within the affected areas (Rompicherla, Sodam, Bandakindapalli and Vootupalle in Chittoor District) along National Highway No. 71. * **Government agencies** involved in land acquisition, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Andhra Pradesh state government (specifically Chittoor District authorities), and the relevant local administrative bodies. * **Construction companies** and contractors involved in the development and maintenance of National Highway No. 71. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for issuing the amendment. The Joint Collector, Chittoor, is identified as the relevant authority for land acquisition within Chittoor District, specifically for the stretch of NH-71 from Km. 0.000 to Km. 55.900. * **Timelines/Procedures:** No specific timelines or procedures are outlined in the provided text beyond the effective date of the notification (June 13, 2022). The existing land acquisition procedures under the National Highways Act, 1956, would likely apply, incorporating the updated schedules. * **Amendment-Specific Implementation:** The implementation of the amendment involves updating official records and maps to reflect the corrected administrative boundaries. This likely requires coordination between central and state government agencies. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this amendment is to ensure accuracy and legal validity in the land acquisition process for National Highway No. 71. By reflecting the correct administrative boundaries, the amendment aims to: * Prevent legal challenges or disputes arising from inaccurate land records. * Facilitate smoother land acquisition processes and project implementation. * Maintain the integrity of the National Highway development project. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the National Highways Act, 1956, regarding land acquisition for National Highway No. 71 in Andhra Pradesh, is a necessary update to reflect changes in administrative boundaries. By correcting the Schedules to reflect the current location of Rompicherla, Sodam, Bandakindapalli and Vootupalle as still within Chittoor District, the amendment aims to ensure the accurate and efficient implementation of the land acquisition process, minimizing potential disputes and facilitating the development of the highway project. The impact of this amendment is significant in maintaining the legal soundness and practical feasibility of the NH-71 project.

Key Entities Referenced