Publication of notification under Section 3D

## Report on Notification Regarding Land Acquisition for National Highway NH17 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding the acquisition of land for building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management and operation of National Highway 17 (NH17) in the state of Assam. The core purpose, based on the notification, is to facilitate infrastructure development by acquiring specific parcels of land for NH17. Key findings include the identification of affected landowners and the declaration that the acquired land will vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances, upon publication of this notification. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a notification published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways concerning land acquisition for National Highway NH17 in Assam. The analysis is based solely on the text provided in the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This notification pertains to land acquisition under the National Highway Act, 1956. The core objective is to acquire land for the building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management and operation of NH17. **4. Background and Rationale:** This is not a new policy but a notification related to implementing the National Highway Act, 1956, for a specific project. The notification indicates that the Central Government intends to acquire land for infrastructural development, specifically the NH17 project. The problem being addressed is likely inadequate road infrastructure in the designated area, necessitating expansion and improvement. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is a notification concerning a specific implementation detail of the National Highway Act, not an amendment. Therefore, this section focuses on the key provisions within the notification itself: * **Land Acquisition Declaration:** The Central Government declares that the land specified in the schedule will be acquired for the purpose of building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management and operation of NH17. * **Vesting of Land:** Upon publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, the specified land will vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances. * **Schedule of Land:** The notification includes a schedule detailing specific plots of land to be acquired, including survey numbers, type of land, nature of land, area in hectares, name of the landowner/interested person, and location details (District: KAMRUP, State: ASSAM). For instance, Survey Plot Number 325124, a private plot of Aaba land measuring 0.0071 hectares, belonging to Dighanto Boro SO Nabin Boro. * **Location Specification:** The land to be acquired falls within NH17 in the stretch of land from Design Ch. 139.421 Km to Ch. 139.750 Km Paikan to Dhupdhara Sahar DC Office Goalpara. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this notification are: * **Landowners:** Specifically, those whose land is listed in the schedule for acquisition, such as Dighanto Boro and Dipak Kr Boro. * **Residents of KAMRUP and GOALPARA districts in Assam:** Potentially impacted by the construction and widening of NH17. * **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:** The responsible government body overseeing the project. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency:** Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the primary responsible agency, with the "Competent Authority" playing a key role in handling objections and submitting reports. * **Procedure:** The notification follows a process outlined in the National Highway Act, 1956, including: * Initial notification of intent to acquire land (S.O. 5483 E Dated:18122024). * Publication of the notification in local newspapers (Amor Asom and The Sentinal Assam). * Handling of objections filed under Section 3C. * Submission of a report by the Competent Authority to the Central Government. * Final declaration of acquisition upon receipt of the report. * **Timelines:** The notification provides specific dates, suggesting a structured timeline. Key dates include the initial notification (18122024), newspaper publication (11.01.2025), and the date of the current notification (17th April, 2025). **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this land acquisition, as inferred from the text, are: * **Improved Road Infrastructure:** Facilitation of the building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management and operation of NH17. * **Economic Development:** Enhanced connectivity and transportation leading to potential economic benefits for the region. * **Land Ownership Transfer:** Transfer of ownership of the specified land parcels to the Central Government, enabling the construction project to proceed. **9. Conclusion:** The notification analyzed is a crucial step in the process of acquiring land for the NH17 project. It declares the Central Government's intention to acquire specific land parcels, vesting the land in the government upon publication. This notification significantly impacts landowners and residents in the affected districts, paving the way for infrastructure development and improved connectivity. This report is based solely on the provided document and may not reflect the full context of the project.

Key Entities Referenced