Publication of notification under Section 3a NHAI

## Report on Amendment to National Highway No. 65 Land Acquisition Policy in Andhra Pradesh **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the land acquisition policy for National Highway (NH) No. 65 in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The amendment, effective August 22, 2022, primarily concerns adjustments to competent authorities and jurisdictional areas due to the formation of a new district (N.T.R. District) and alterations to the boundaries of the existing Krishna District. The key findings are the superseding of previous notifications regarding land acquisition for NH-65 and the reassignment of authority to specified officers for the revised geographical areas. This will affect land acquisition processes and potentially timelines for ongoing and future projects related to NH-65 in the affected districts. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an informative overview of the amendment to the land acquisition policy for National Highway No. 65 in the State of Andhra Pradesh, based solely on the provided government policy text. The report aims to analyze the changes introduced by the amendment, its likely rationale, and its potential implications for relevant stakeholders. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy Amended:** The amendment modifies the "notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Department of Road Transport and Highways, number S.O.631E, dated the 18th April, 2007." * **Core Objective(s):** The original policy and its amendment serve the objective of acquiring land for the building, widening/four-laning, maintenance, management, and operation of National Highway No. 65 in Andhra Pradesh. The amendment focuses on streamlining land acquisition processes by adjusting competent authority jurisdictions to reflect updated district boundaries. **4. Background and Rationale:** The primary reason for this amendment appears to be the administrative reorganization of Andhra Pradesh. The formation of the new N.T.R. District and alteration of the boundaries of the Krishna District, as per the Andhra Pradesh District Formation Act, 1974, necessitate adjustments to the designated competent authorities and their respective jurisdictions for land acquisition. Without this amendment, the existing authorities might lack the legal power to act in newly formed districts or altered boundaries, potentially delaying or halting infrastructure development. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment focuses *specifically* on the following changes introduced by the amendment text: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment changes the Schedule of notification S.O.631E (dated 18th April 2007) with respect to competent authorities and their area of jurisdiction. This alters who is responsible for land acquisition in specific locations along NH-65. * **New Rule/Provision:** The new rule establishes the officers listed in column 2 of the schedule as the "competent authorities" to perform the required functions under the National Highways Act, 1956. These authorities now have jurisdiction over the stretches of land detailed in column 3 of the schedule, within the districts, mandals, and villages listed in columns 4-7. Specifically, the text names the "Sub Collector, Vijayawada Town" and "Joint Collector, Machilipatnam" as competent authorities. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The effect is a reassignment of land acquisition authority for NH-65 projects in the areas affected by the district boundary changes. For example, the sub-collector of Vijayawada Town will be the relevant authority for land acquisition from 0KM to 2KM of the Vijayawada stretch. The previous competent authority (as specified in S.O.631E and subsequent amendments) is no longer authorized for these newly defined areas. * **Superseding of Previous Notifications:** The notification explicitly states that the principal notification S.O.631E and subsequent amendments S.O.334E, S.O.2365E, S.O.1541E and S.O.3756E stand superseded by this notification. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The stakeholders directly affected by this amendment include: * **Landowners:** Individuals and entities whose land falls within the specified stretches of NH-65 in the districts, mandals, and villages mentioned in the schedule. These stakeholders need to be aware of which authority will be managing their land acquisition. * **Contractors and Developers:** Companies involved in the construction, maintenance, or operation of NH-65. They need to understand the updated land acquisition procedures and who to coordinate with for project-related land issues. * **Government Agencies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the revenue departments of Andhra Pradesh. These entities are responsible for implementing and overseeing the land acquisition process. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The competent authorities listed in the schedule (e.g., Sub Collector, Vijayawada Town; Joint Collector, Machilipatnam) are responsible for carrying out the functions under the National Highways Act, 1956, specifically concerning land acquisition. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and potentially the NHAI oversee the overall implementation. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment takes effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette (August 22, 2022). The amendment requires that all future land acquisition related activities for the specified stretches of NH-65 in the affected districts are managed by the newly designated competent authorities. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these specific changes is to ensure smooth and legally sound land acquisition processes for NH-65 projects in light of the administrative reorganization of Andhra Pradesh. By clarifying the jurisdictional authority, the amendment likely aims to: * Expedite land acquisition by removing any ambiguity about which authority is responsible. * Reduce potential legal challenges arising from jurisdictional uncertainties. * Facilitate timely completion of NH-65 projects, contributing to improved transportation infrastructure. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the land acquisition policy for National Highway No. 65 in Andhra Pradesh is a necessary adjustment to reflect the updated administrative map of the state. By reassigned competent authority jurisdictions, the amendment seeks to ensure the continuity and legality of land acquisition processes for NH-65 projects. This change directly affects landowners, contractors, government agencies and local residents in the affected districts. Affected stakeholders must understand the new authoritative structure to ensure compliance and efficiency during the Land Acquisition process.

Key Entities Referenced