Central Government Appoints Competent Authority for Land Acquisition on NH37 in Manipur

The Central Government, through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, issued a statutory notification to facilitate the expansion and management of National Highway 37 in the State of Manipur. Published in the Gazette of India on July 29, 2025, the notification, designated as S.O. 3484(E), formally authorized specific administrative officers to oversee land acquisition processes necessary for the development of the highway infrastructure. This executive action was taken under the statutory framework of the National Highways Act, 1956, which empowers the Union to designate authorities for the purpose of building, maintaining, and operating national highways across the country. The notification came into force immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette, providing the legal basis for the commencement of infrastructure works in the region.

The legislation provided: “In exercise of powers conferred by clause (a) of section 3 of the National Highways Act, 1956(48 of 1956), the Central Government hereby authorizes the officers mentioned in column (2) of the Schedule annexed here to as the competent authorities to perform the functions of such authorities under the said Act with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, in respect of the stretch of land from 37.5 to 37.65 of Tamenglong (NH37) in the State of MANIPUR for building (widening / four laning, etc.), maintenance, management and operation in the State of MANIPUR.”

The primary objective of this notification was to appoint the Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong as the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (the designated official empowered to perform statutory functions related to the procurement of land) for a specific stretch of National Highway 37. This stretch extends from kilometer 37.5 to kilometer 37.65 within the Tamenglong district of Manipur. The authorization is intended to streamline the legal and administrative procedures required for the widening and four laning of the highway, as well as its subsequent maintenance and management. By appointing a local administrative head, the government aims to ensure that the acquisition process in the villages of Muktokhal and Tatbung within the Tamenglong West taluk (an administrative sub-division) is conducted in accordance with the prescribed legal standards.

This measure addressed the necessity of upgrading the existing road network to meet increasing traffic demands and improve regional connectivity. Under the National Highways Act, the appointment of a competent authority is a prerequisite for the government to exercise its power of eminent domain (the right of the state to acquire private property for public use). The notification effectively sets the statutory timeline in motion, as the authority’s powers became into force on the date of publication. This administrative step is crucial for the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited to proceed with the planned infrastructure projects in the Silchar Tamenglong corridor, ensuring that statutory gaps in project execution are addressed through clear delegation of power.

Keywords: National Highways Act 1956, Land Acquisition, Manipur, NH37, Tamenglong, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Competent Authority, Infrastructure Development

Geo Tags: India, Manipur
District: Tamenglong