Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Jabalpur Ring Road Project

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued Notification S.O. 3704(E) on August 13, 2025, formally declaring the acquisition of specific land parcels for the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of a Ring Road in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh. This declaration followed an earlier notification by the Central Government, published on March 26, 2025, under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highway Act, 1956 (48 of 1956), which had expressed the intention to acquire land for the Ring Road project spanning from Km. 75.480 to Km. 98.950. The substance of this initial declaration was subsequently published in local newspapers, Dainik Bhaskar and The Hitavada, Jabalpur, on April 5, 2025, as mandated by sub-section (3) of section 3A of the Act. The Competent Authority, after receiving and considering objections filed under Section 3C of the Act, settled them appropriately before submitting its report to the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 3D. Upon receipt of this report, the Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3D of the said Act, declared that the specified land should be acquired for the stated purpose. Furthermore, the notification stipulated that upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the land detailed in the annexed Schedule would vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances, as per sub-section (2) of section 3D. The land identified for acquisition includes 0.945 hectares of private unirrigated land in Survey/Plot Number 8/2, located in Village Amjhar, Taluk Kundam, Jabalpur, registered under the name of Shelly Dhope.

The legislative intent behind such notifications is to facilitate crucial infrastructure development projects, specifically the expansion and improvement of national highways. This particular action aims to ensure the timely completion and operational readiness of the Jabalpur Ring Road, which is vital for regional connectivity and economic activity. The National Highway Act, 1956, provides the statutory framework for the acquisition of land for national highways, ensuring a structured process that includes public notification, opportunity for objections, and due consideration by a Competent Authority. This notification exemplifies the executive branch's implementation of that framework to overcome potential impediments to public works. The legislation provided: “…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 underscores the finality and legal effect of the acquisition process once all statutory procedures have been followed, ensuring clear title for the Central Government to proceed with the development. The acquisition of land, such as the parcel in Village Amjhar, is a necessary step for projects like the Jabalpur Ring Road, which are designed to enhance transportation efficiency, reduce congestion, and support regional growth by providing improved road infrastructure. The process ensures that while private land is acquired for public good, it is done through a legally defined and transparent mechanism.

Keywords: National Highway Act, 1956, land acquisition, Jabalpur Ring Road, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Madhya Pradesh, infrastructure development, government notification, land vesting, public works
Geo Tags: India, Madhya Pradesh
District: Jabalpur