Central Government Initiates Land Acquisition for National Highway 55 Expansion in Odisha

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a statutory notification on October 24, 2025, declaring the Central Government’s intention to acquire land for the development of National Highway 55 in the state of Odisha. This notification, identified as S.O. 4879(E), was promulgated under the powers conferred by the National Highways Act, 1956. The acquisition pertains to a specific stretch of land between Km. 318.00 and Km. 353.45, covering the Balikuda to Mulakani section within the Jagatsinghpur district. The government stated that the land is required for public purposes, specifically for the widening, maintenance, management, and operation of the highway, which may include two-laning with paved shoulders or four-laning.

The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette. It identifies several private land parcels in Alabhar village under the Balikuda Taluk, totaling approximately 0.4387 hectares. The affected parties include private landowners whose plots, categorized as Chaka (a local term for consolidated agricultural land blocks), are situated within the designated survey numbers. The Tahasildar of Balikuda has been designated as the Competent Authority to oversee the acquisition process and handle any legal representations from the public.

The primary legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion of critical infrastructure to improve regional connectivity and road safety. By invoking Section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956, the government has streamlined the process for acquiring land necessary for national projects. The legislation provided: “In exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government, after being satisfied that for the public purpose, the land, the brief description of which is given in the Schedule below, is required for building (widening/two lane with paved shoulder/four laning etc.,), maintenance, management and operation of NH55 in the stretch of land from Km. 318.00 to Km. 353.45 (Balikuda - Mulakani) in the district of Jagatsinghpur in the state of ODISHA, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.”

Under the statutory framework, the government has established a clear enforcement mechanism for dispute resolution. Any person with an interest in the specified land has the right to object to its acquisition within twenty-one days from the date of the notification’s publication. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the Tahasildar of Balikuda, detailing the specific grounds for opposition. The Act ensures procedural fairness by mandating that the Competent Authority provide the objector with an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner (a qualified lawyer authorized to represent clients in legal proceedings). Following an inquiry, the authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections, and such orders are deemed final under the law. This process addresses the statutory requirement to balance public developmental needs with the rights of private property owners. Interested persons may also inspect the land plans and other relevant details at the office of the Competent Authority to understand the specific impact on their holdings.

Keywords: National Highways Act 1956, Land Acquisition, NH55, Odisha Infrastructure, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Jagatsinghpur, Public Purpose, Highway Widening

Geo Tags: India, Odisha
District: Jagatsinghpur