Central Government Finalises Land Acquisition for NH326 Development in Ganjam, Odisha

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued Notification S.O. 3942(E) on August 28, 2025, marking the final declaration for the acquisition of land designated for the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of a Toll Plaza on National Highway 326 (NH326) in the Ganjam district of Odisha. This delegated legislation, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), formalises the acquisition of a total area of 1.9000403 hectares of land, encompassing both private and government plots, across the villages of Podamari and Khandadeuli within the Sanakhemundi Taluk. The land parcels are situated along the stretch of NH326 from Km. 0/000 to Km. 40/000 (37/600), specifically between Dhugoan and Podamari. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on August 28, 2025.

This notification follows a statutory process initiated by an earlier notification, S.O. 757(E), dated February 13, 2025, which was issued under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highway Act, 1956 (Act 48 of 1956). That initial notification had declared the Central Government's intention to acquire the specified land. Subsequently, the substance of this intention was published in local newspapers, The Samaj and The Pragatibadi, both dated March 20, 2025, as required by sub-section (3) of section 3A of the said Act. Crucially, the Competent Authority, responsible for overseeing the acquisition process, did not receive any objections under Section 3-C of the Act. Following this, the Competent Authority submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 3D of the Act.

Upon receiving the Competent Authority's report, the Central Government exercised its powers under sub-section (1) of section 3D of the National Highway Act, 1956, to declare that the land detailed in the Schedule should be acquired for the stated purpose. A significant legal consequence introduced by this notification is the absolute vesting of the acquired land in the Central Government. The legislation provided: “...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 publication, all prior claims or liabilities on the property (encumbrances) are extinguished, and the Central Government obtains a clear title.

The legislative intent behind such notifications is to facilitate critical infrastructure development, particularly for national highways, which are vital for economic growth and connectivity. The National Highway Act, 1956, provides a robust statutory framework for the acquisition of land necessary for these public projects. This notification addresses the practical need for land to establish and operate essential highway infrastructure, such as toll plazas, ensuring the smooth management and maintenance of NH326. By completing the acquisition process, the government secures the necessary land, thereby removing any potential statutory gaps or limitations that could impede the project's progress. The process, from the initial declaration of intent to the final vesting, ensures transparency and adherence to legal procedures, including opportunities for public objections, which in this instance were not received. This mechanism allows for the efficient transfer of land for public utility, thereby enabling the timely execution of national highway projects.

Keywords: National Highway Act 1956, land acquisition, NH326, Ganjam, Odisha, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, infrastructure development, public works, toll plaza

Geo Tags: India, Odisha
District: Ganjam