Central Government Declares Land Acquisition for National Highway 163G in Andhra Pradesh

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a formal notification under the National Highways Act, 1956, to finalize the acquisition of land required for the development of National Highway 163G in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Published as S.O. 4750(E) in the Gazette of India on October 17, 2025, this executive instrument marks the culmination of a statutory process initiated to facilitate the widening, maintenance, and management of a critical highway stretch. The acquisition encompasses land from kilometer 281.305 to kilometer 308.22 situated within the Krishna district. This measure follows a preliminary notification issued on December 9, 2024, wherein the Central Government had declared its intention to acquire the specified land parcels. In accordance with the procedural requirements of the Act, the substance of the initial notification was published in the Times of India and Prajashakti on February 13, 2025, to allow for public scrutiny and the filing of objections.

The competent authority reported that no objections were received from the public or interested persons regarding the proposed acquisition. Consequently, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3D of the National Highways Act, the Central Government has now declared that the land specified in the schedule shall be acquired for public purposes. The notification affects various private landholders across the taluks of G. Konduru and Vijayawada (Rural), covering villages such as Ganginenipalem, Munagapadu, Cheruvu Madhavaram, Paidurupadu, and Rayanapadu. The total area involved in this declaration amounts to approximately 1.8301825 hectares. The legislation provided: “the Central Government hereby declares that on publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the said Schedule shall vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances.” This legal consequence ensures that the government gains unhindered title to the property, removing any prior liens or legal impediments (encumbrances) that might have existed.

The legislative intent behind this notification is rooted in the policy rationale of enhancing national infrastructure and ensuring the efficient operation of the country's highway network. By utilizing the streamlined provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956, the government addresses the statutory necessity of acquiring specific plots to meet technical requirements for four-laning and maintenance. The earlier legal position required a preliminary declaration of intent, which has now been superseded by this final vesting order. The parcels of land, primarily classified as "Dry" and held under "Patta" (a legal document establishing land ownership), are now legally transferred to the state. This enforcement mechanism allows the National Highways Authority of India to proceed with the physical development of the NH-163G stretch without further title disputes. The notification came into force immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette, thereby establishing a clear statutory timeline for the commencement of the project's next phases.

Keywords: National Highways Act 1956, Land Acquisition, NH-163G, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure, Gazette Notification, Krishna District, Section 3D, Public Purpose

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh
District: Krishna