Central Government Notifies Intent to Acquire Land for NH330D Expansion in Sitapur

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued Notification S.O. 3891(E) on August 25, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire land for the development of National Highway 330D (NH330D) in Uttar Pradesh. This notification, a form of delegated legislation, was published in the Official Gazette and came into force on the date of its publication. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956 (Act 48 of 1956), determined that the land is required for a public purpose, specifically for the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of NH330D. The project involves widening, including a two-lane with paved shoulder or four-laning, along a stretch from Kilometer 0 to Kilometer 33.1 within the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The notification details various parcels of land, both private and government-owned, across villages such as Ajijpur, Sikatihia, Kariya Mau, Ramkot, and Humaunpur, encompassing a total area of 5.2628 hectares.

The notification establishes a clear procedure for individuals affected by the proposed acquisition. Any person with an interest in the identified land parcels is granted a period of twenty-one days from the date of the notification's publication in the Official Gazette to submit objections. These objections, concerning the use of the land for the stated purpose, must be made in writing to the Competent Authority, identified as the Additional District Magistrate (Finance/Revenue) (ADM F/R), Sitapur. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner. Following the hearing of all objections and any necessary further inquiry, the Competent Authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections, and this decision, made under sub-section (2) of section 3C of the said Act, shall be final. The land plans and other pertinent details regarding the acquisition are available for inspection by interested parties at the office of the Competent Authority. The legislation provided: “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 Construction (widening/two lane with paved shoulder/four laning etc.,), maintenance, management and operation of NH330D in the stretch of land from Km. 0 to Km. 33.1 in the district of SITAPUR in the state of UTTAR PRADESH, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.”

This notification aligns with the broader legislative intent of the National Highways Act, 1956, which empowers the Central Government to acquire land for the development and expansion of national highways across the country. The policy rationale behind such acquisitions is to facilitate crucial infrastructure development projects that enhance connectivity, improve transportation efficiency, and contribute to economic growth. The Act provides a statutory framework for land acquisition, ensuring that while land is acquired for public good, due process is followed, and affected persons have an opportunity to raise concerns. This specific notification addresses the need for land to upgrade NH330D, thereby filling a critical requirement for a specific highway project. The process outlined, including the provision for objections and a hearing by a Competent Authority, serves as an enforcement mechanism to ensure transparency and fairness in the acquisition process, balancing public interest with individual rights. The detailed schedule of land parcels, specifying survey numbers, type of land (e.g., Private Agriculture, Government Barren, Common Barren/Agriculture, Rasta, Nadi, Sadak), and area in hectares, provides statutory precision for the proposed acquisition.

Keywords: National Highways Act, land acquisition, NH330D, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, infrastructure development, public purpose, notification, delegated legislation

Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh
District: Sitapur