Central Government Finalizes Land Acquisition for NH152 Widening in Ambala, Haryana

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued Notification S.O. 3702(E) on August 13, 2025, a piece of delegated legislation that formally declared the acquisition of specific land parcels for the development of National Highway 152 (NH152) in Haryana. This notification followed an earlier declaration of intent, S.O. 2074(E), published on May 9, 2025, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highway Act, 1956 (48 of 1956). The Central Government had initially expressed its intention to acquire land for the building, including widening or four-laning, as well as the subsequent maintenance, management, and operation of NH152, specifically along the stretch from Km. 0 to Km. 42.5 in the Ambala district of Haryana. The substance of the initial notification was also published in local newspapers, Jagmarg and Times of India, on May 24, 2025, in accordance with sub-section (3) of section 3A of the said Act.

Following the public notification, the Competent Authority received objections filed under Section 3-C of the Act, which were duly considered and settled. Subsequently, in pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 3D of the Act, the Competent Authority submitted its report to the Central Government. Upon receipt of this report, the Central Government exercised its powers under sub-section (1) of section 3D to declare that the land specified in the annexed Schedule should be acquired for the stated purpose. Furthermore, under sub-section (2) of section 3D of the Act, the Central Government declared that upon the publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, the identified land would vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances. 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 notification, therefore, came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on August 13, 2025. The Schedule detailed various private agriculture land parcels across villages such as Balana, Matehari Shekhana, and Landyali in Ambala City Taluk, Ambala District, Haryana, totaling approximately 0.2908 hectares, along with the names of the land owners or interested persons.

The legislative intent behind this notification was to facilitate crucial infrastructure development projects by streamlining the process of land acquisition for national highways. The policy rationale aimed to ensure the timely completion of projects vital for economic growth and improved connectivity across the region. The National Highway Act, 1956, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, balancing the public interest in infrastructure development with the private property rights of citizens. This structured process, involving an initial declaration of intent, a period for objections, their consideration, and a final declaration of acquisition and vesting, addresses potential issues by ensuring due process. The notification did not introduce new rights or obligations but rather formalized the transfer of land ownership from private individuals to the Central Government for a public purpose. The declaration of absolute vesting, free from encumbrances, serves as the primary enforcement mechanism, ensuring that the acquired land is readily available for the planned highway construction and related activities without legal impediments.

Keywords: National Highway Act, 1956, land acquisition, NH152, Ambala, Haryana, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, infrastructure, road widening, Central Government, delegated legislation

Geo Tags: India, Haryana
District: Ambala