Central Government Finalises Land Acquisition for NH 144A Widening in Jammu & Kashmir

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued Notification S.O. 3901(E) on August 25, 2025, formally declaring the acquisition of land for the development of National Highway 144A in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), marks the culmination of a statutory process initiated by an earlier notification, S.O. 5318 (E), dated December 9, 2024. That initial notification, issued under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highway Act, 1956 (Act 48 of 1956), had declared the Central Government's intention to acquire land for the building, including widening and four-laning, as well as the maintenance, management, and operation of NH 144A. The specific stretch of land targeted for acquisition spans from Km. 0.800 (Canal Head) to Km. 26.350 (Thati Chowk) within the UT of Jammu & Kashmir. The substance of the preliminary notification was subsequently published in local newspapers, Daily Excelsior and Amar Ujala, on December 21 and 22, 2024, respectively, as required by sub-section (3) of section 3A of the Act. Following this, a Competent Authority received and appropriately settled objections filed under Section 3-C of the Act, before submitting its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 3D. Upon the publication of this latest notification in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the annexed Schedule vested absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances. The acquired land includes various private and government-owned plots, encompassing non-agriculture, agriculture, and residential categories across villages such as Mishriwala, Paloura, Muthi, Purkhoo Garhi, Patoli Brahamana, Kangrail, Doomi, and Jandial, all located in the Jammu district.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate critical infrastructure development by streamlining the land acquisition process for national highways. The policy rationale underscores the government's commitment to enhancing connectivity and improving transportation efficiency across the region. The National Highway Act, 1956, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, outlining a clear procedure that balances public interest with the rights of landowners. This includes provisions for declaring an intention to acquire, inviting and addressing public objections, and finally, declaring the acquisition. The current notification addresses the final stage of this process, ensuring that the necessary land is secured for the planned widening and upgrading of NH 144A. 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 means that upon the notification's official release, the ownership of the designated land irrevocably transfers to the Central Government, extinguishing any prior claims, mortgages, or other liabilities (encumbrances) on the property. This mechanism is crucial for ensuring that large-scale public projects, such as highway construction, can proceed without legal impediments arising from fragmented ownership or outstanding claims. The process ensures that land is acquired through a legally defined framework, providing clarity for both the acquiring authority and the affected persons, who are compensated as per the provisions of the Act.

Keywords: National Highway Act, land acquisition, NH 144A, Jammu Kashmir, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, infrastructure, road development, government notification, land vesting
Geo Tags: India, Jammu & Kashmir
District: Jammu