Central Government Finalizes Land Acquisition for NH58 Toll Plaza in Mahesana, Gujarat

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued Notification S.O. 3949(E) on August 28, 2025, marking the final declaration for the acquisition of land necessary for the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of a Toll Plaza on National Highway 58 (NH58) in the Mahesana district of Gujarat. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), brings to conclusion a statutory process initiated under the National Highway Act, 1956 (48 of 1956). The land, located between Km. 85 and Km. 87 of NH58, is now formally acquired by the Central Government, with the notification coming into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on August 28, 2025.

This declaration follows a series of procedural steps mandated by the Act. The process began with an initial notification, S.O. 4058(E) dated September 19, 2024, which declared the Central Government's intention to acquire the specified land under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the said Act. Subsequently, public notice of this intention was published in both the Gujarat Samachar and Times of India newspapers on October 5, 2024, as required by sub-section (3) of section 3A. The Competent Authority, a designated officer for land acquisition matters, received and appropriately settled objections filed 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 receipt of this report, the Central Government proceeded with the final declaration of acquisition.

The legislative intent behind such notifications is to facilitate critical infrastructure development for national highways, ensuring their efficient maintenance, management, and operation. The National Highway Act, 1956, provides a structured legal framework for the acquisition of land for public purposes, balancing the need for development with the rights of landowners. This particular notification addresses the requirement for a toll plaza, an integral component for funding and managing national highway stretches. The process ensures that due diligence is observed, including public notification and the opportunity for affected parties to raise objections, which are then considered by the Competent Authority. The legislation provided: “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 provision ensures that once acquired, the land is transferred to the Central Government with a clear title, free from any prior claims or liabilities, enabling unhindered project execution. The acquired land, totaling 0.0492 hectares, is private agricultural land located in Dharoi village, Satlasana Taluk, Mahesana district, and includes parcels owned by individuals such as Thakor Jatanben Nathaji, Thakor Amarati Nathaji, Thakor Bhikhaji Nathaji, Thakor Rameshji Nathaji, and Thakor Dineshji Nathaji. This final notification underscores the government's commitment to expanding and improving the national highway network through established legal procedures.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, National Highway Act, NH58, Toll Plaza, Mahesana, Gujarat, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Infrastructure Development, Official Gazette

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Mahesana