Central Government Notifies Intent to Acquire Land for Khordha Town Bypass on NH-57

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued Notification S.O. 755(E) on February 12, 2026, declaring its intention to acquire land for a public purpose. This notification, published in the Official Gazette on the same date, initiates the process for the construction of a bypass to Khordha Town on National Highway-57. The land identified for acquisition spans from Km. 294/000 to Km. 300/300 on NH-57, specifically located in Gurujanga village within the Khordha district of Odisha. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956), expressed its satisfaction that the land is required for this infrastructure project. The notification outlines a procedure for individuals interested in the affected land to raise objections. Any person may, within twenty-one days from the notification's publication, object to the proposed use of the land. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority, identified as the Additional Sub-collector, Khordha-cum-CALA-NH-57, detailing the grounds for the objection. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide an opportunity for the objector to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner, and may conduct further inquiry before issuing a final order to allow or disallow the objections. The land plans and other pertinent details regarding the acquisition are available for inspection at the Competent Authority's office.

This notification serves as a crucial step in the implementation of national infrastructure development, specifically aimed at enhancing connectivity and easing traffic congestion around Khordha Town through the construction of a bypass on NH-57. The legislative intent behind such declarations is to facilitate the timely execution of public works projects by providing a structured legal framework for land acquisition. The National Highways Act, 1956, forms the foundational statutory framework for such acquisitions, ensuring that land required for national highways is procured through a legally defined process that balances public interest with individual rights. Prior to such notifications, the government identifies the necessity for specific land parcels for public projects. This notification addresses the need to formally declare this requirement and initiate the acquisition process, thereby moving from a planning stage to an executive action. The process outlined, including the right to object and a hearing by a Competent Authority (an official designated to handle specific legal matters), introduces a mechanism for transparency and due process, ensuring that affected landowners have an opportunity to present their concerns. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government, after being satisfied that for the public purpose, the land, the brief description of which is given in the Schedule below, is required for Construction of By-Pass to Khordha Town of NH-57 on the stretch of land from Km.294/000 to Km. 300/300 on NH-57 in village namely Gurujanga in the district of KHORDHA in the state of ODISHA, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.” This provision underscores the government's commitment to public utility projects while adhering to statutory procedures. The finality of the Competent Authority's order under sub-section (2) of section 3C of the said Act ensures expeditious resolution of objections, preventing undue delays in projects deemed vital for national development. The notification does not introduce new rights or obligations beyond those already established by the National Highways Act, 1956, but rather operationalizes the existing provisions for a specific project.

Keywords: National Highways Act, land acquisition, Khordha bypass, NH-57, Odisha, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, notification, public purpose, infrastructure
Geo Tags: India, Odisha
District: Khordha