Publication of notification under Section 3a NHIDCL

## Policy Analysis Report: Land Acquisition for National Highway No. 26 Upgradation in Odisha **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, concerning land acquisition for the upgradation of a section of National Highway No. 26 in Odisha. The core purpose of this notification is to authorize specific officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition related to the highway expansion project. The key finding is the designation of authority to facilitate the land acquisition process for the specified highway section. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of a notification published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Subsection ii, regarding land acquisition for the upgradation of National Highway No. 26 in the state of Odisha. This analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This notification pertains to an action under the National Highways Act, 1956. The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the expansion and improvement of National Highway No. 26 by authorizing specific officers to oversee the necessary land acquisition processes. **4. Background and Rationale:** As this appears to be a new notification authorizing actions related to an existing act, the likely rationale is to address the need for improved road infrastructure. The specific problem addressed seems to be the necessity to upgrade the specified section of National Highway No. 26 (Nabarangpur to Boriguma Section) to 2-laning with paved shoulders, requiring land acquisition. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification establishes the following: * **Authorization of Competent Authorities:** It authorizes officers mentioned in column 2 of the schedule to perform the functions of competent authorities under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Scope of Authority:** This authority is granted specifically "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 respectively of the said Schedule". * **Project Specificity:** The authority relates directly to the "upgradation to 2 laning with paved shoulders of km. 294.280 to 319.280 Nabarangpur to Boriguma Section in the State of ODISHA" * **Geographic Scope:** The schedule details the specific state (Odisha), district (Koraput), Taluk/Mandal (Boriguma), and Village (Borigumma) affected by the land acquisition. * **Highway Designation**: Land acquisition on National Highway No. 26 **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the directly affected stakeholders include: * **Landowners in the specified areas:** Individuals and entities owning land within the defined stretch of National Highway No. 26 in the Koraput district of Odisha. * **Residents of the Borigumma Village, Koraput District:** Those living in proximity to the highway section undergoing upgradation. * **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:** The government body responsible for overseeing the project. * **Competent Authorities (Tahasildar):** The officers designated to carry out the land acquisition process. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the primary responsible agency. The Tahasildar of Boriguma is the designated competent authority for the specified area. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification takes effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette (May 2, 2022). Specific procedures for land acquisition are not detailed in this text but would be governed by the National Highways Act, 1956, and other relevant regulations. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this notification are: * **Streamlined Land Acquisition:** Facilitating the efficient and legal acquisition of land required for the highway upgradation project. * **Highway Upgradation:** Enabling the timely execution of the project to upgrade the Nabarangpur to Boriguma section of National Highway No. 26 to 2-laning with paved shoulders. * **Improved Transportation Infrastructure:** Contributing to better connectivity and transportation efficiency in the region. **9. Conclusion:** The notification analyzed in this report is a crucial step in facilitating the upgradation of National Highway No. 26 in Odisha. By authorizing specific officers as competent authorities for land acquisition, the notification aims to expedite the process and enable the timely completion of the highway expansion project. This will likely lead to improved transportation infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

Key Entities Referenced