Central Government Declares Land Acquisition for NH-48 Expansion in Gujarat

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, issued a Notification, S.O. 3799(E), on August 19, 2025, formally declaring the acquisition of land for the development of National Highway 48 (NH-48) in Gujarat. This notification follows an earlier declaration of intent, S.O. 3577(E), dated August 22, 2024, which was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary. The initial notification, issued under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highway Act, 1956 (48 of 1956), outlined the Central Government's intention to acquire land for the construction of additional structures and bridges, including widening and six-laning, as well as for the maintenance, management, and operation of NH-48. The specific stretch of land identified for acquisition spans from Km. 109.950 to Km. 131.170 within the Vadodara district of Gujarat. The substance of the preliminary notification was subsequently published in local newspapers, Divya Bhaskar and The Times of India, on October 19, 2024, in compliance with sub-section (3) of section 3A of the said Act, inviting objections from affected parties. Following this, objections were received, considered, and ultimately disallowed by the Competent Authority. The Competent Authority then submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 3D of the National Highway Act, 1956. Upon review of this report, the Central Government proceeded with the final declaration of acquisition. The notification specified that the land detailed in its annexed Schedule, comprising private agricultural land in Jambava village, Vadodara city (South) taluka, Vadodara district, Gujarat, totaling 0.0714 hectares, would be acquired. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government hereby declares that the land specified in the said Schedule should be acquired for the aforesaid purpose. And further, in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 3D of the said Act, 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 notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate crucial infrastructure development by ensuring the timely and unencumbered acquisition of land necessary for the expansion and modernization of National Highway 48. The National Highway Act, 1956, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, enabling the Central Government to declare land for public purposes related to national highways. This specific notification addresses the practical steps required to move from an initial declaration of intent to a final acquisition, thereby resolving any potential statutory gaps or issues that might arise during the public consultation phase. By considering and disallowing objections, the Competent Authority ensured that the process adhered to legal requirements while prioritizing the broader public interest in highway development. The declaration of absolute vesting of the land in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances, is a critical enforcement mechanism designed to prevent future disputes and ensure that the land is immediately available for the intended construction and operational activities. This measure is essential for the seamless execution of large-scale infrastructure projects, which are vital for economic growth and connectivity. The notification does not introduce new rights or obligations in terms of the Act itself but rather executes the existing provisions for land acquisition, ensuring that the project can proceed without legal impediments.

Keywords: National Highway Act 1956, land acquisition, NH-48, Vadodara, Gujarat, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, infrastructure, notification, Central Government, highway expansion

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Vadodara