Central Government Designates Competent Authorities for Bihar Greenfield Expressway Land Acquisition

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification, S.O. 3710(E), on August 13, 2025, formally authorizing specific officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition related to the Greenfield Expressway project in Bihar. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, came into effect immediately upon its publication. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by clause (a) of section 3 of the National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956), designated these officers to perform essential functions under the said Act. The authorization pertains to two significant stretches of the Greenfield Expressway: from Km. 336.5 to Km. 375, and from Km. 235.4 to Km. 336.5. These stretches are earmarked for critical activities including building, widening, four-laning, maintenance, management, and operation within the State of Bihar.

The designated competent authorities, primarily District Land Acquisition Officers, are now empowered to oversee the acquisition process across numerous villages and taluks within the Supaul and Madhubani districts of Bihar. The detailed schedule appended to the notification lists a comprehensive array of villages such as Dagmara, Sikrahata, Bhimpur, Keola, Gobindpur, Siripur, Bishunpur Daulat, Harpur, Karhari, Kabiahi, Mahadewa, Chandarpatti, Dharhara, Kulhadia, Mahathaur, Kala Patti, Ghonghaur, Bhatgawan, Rasidpur, Lachhmipur, Haripur, Keota, Ladaut, Mahamadpur, Salha, Uchaith, Mureth, Bijalpura, Nagdah Valain, and Arer, among many others. This extensive list underscores the broad geographical impact of the notification, covering multiple administrative divisions crucial for the expressway's development.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to streamline and expedite the land acquisition process, which is a foundational step for any major infrastructure project. By formally designating competent authorities at the district level, the Central Government aims to ensure efficient execution of the National Highways Act, 1956, specifically concerning the Greenfield Expressway in Bihar. This measure addresses potential administrative bottlenecks and facilitates the timely procurement of land required for the expansion and modernization of national highways. The earlier legal position, while providing for land acquisition, necessitated specific authorizations for officers to act as competent authorities for each project. This notification fills that operational gap by clearly identifying and empowering the relevant local officials. 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 Km. 336.5 to Km. 375 of the Greenfield Expressway, Km. 235.4 to Km. 336.5 of the Greenfield Expressway for building (widening / four-laning, etc.), maintenance, management and operation in the State of BIHAR.” This authorization is critical for the effective implementation of the Greenfield Expressway project, ensuring that the necessary land is acquired in a legally sound and administratively efficient manner, thereby contributing to enhanced connectivity and economic development in the region.

Keywords: National Highways Act 1956, Greenfield Expressway, Bihar, land acquisition, competent authorities, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, infrastructure development, road projects, notification, S.O. 3710(E)

Geo Tags: Country: India
State: Bihar
District: Supaul, Madhubani