Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for National Highway 266 Expansion in Sangli

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification, S.O. 3568(E), on August 4, 2025, declaring the acquisition of land for the development of National Highway No.-266 (Karad Tasgaon) in Sangli District, Maharashtra. This notification follows an earlier declaration of intent, S.O 3148 (A) dated August 6, 2024, which was published in the Gazette of India under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956. The initial notification outlined the Central Government's intention to acquire land for the building, including widening to two lanes with paved shoulders or four lanes with earthen shoulders, as well as for the maintenance, management, and operation of the specified highway stretch. The land identified for acquisition spans from Kilometer 43.300 to Kilometer 58.830, covering the Yelavi to Tasgaon section within the Sangli District. The substance of the initial notification was subsequently published in local newspapers, Dainik Lalkaar on August 27, 2024, and Times of India on August 15, 2024, in compliance with sub-section (3) of section 3A of the Act. Following this, objections filed under section 3-C of the Act were duly considered and settled by the competent authority. The competent authority then 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 formally declared that the land detailed in the annexed Schedule should be acquired for the aforementioned highway project. The notification further stipulated that, upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the Schedule would vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate crucial infrastructure development by expanding and upgrading National Highway No.-266. The policy rationale centers on enhancing connectivity, improving road safety, and streamlining the transportation network in the region. The earlier legal position established a structured process for land acquisition for national highway projects, beginning with a preliminary notification of intent, followed by public notice, and a mechanism for addressing objections from affected parties. This notification addresses the final stages of this statutory framework, ensuring that the necessary land is legally secured for the public purpose. The acquisition process, as outlined in the National Highways Act, 1956, aims to resolve potential issues and limitations that could impede large-scale infrastructure projects by providing a clear legal pathway for the transfer of land ownership. The declaration introduces new obligations for the landowners whose properties are listed, as their land will now be acquired by the Central Government. The enforcement mechanism is clearly defined: the land vests in the Central Government immediately upon the publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, meaning all prior claims or liabilities on the land are extinguished, and it becomes the unencumbered property of the government. The Schedule appended to the notification meticulously lists numerous private agricultural land parcels, detailing their survey/plot numbers, areas in hectares, and the names of owners or interested persons across villages such as Turchi, Yelavi, Nehru Nagar, and Nimani in Tasgaon Taluk, Sangli District, Maharashtra, totaling 1.5897 hectares. 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 a clear and legally sound transfer of ownership for the highway project.

Keywords: National Highway Act, Land Acquisition, NH-266, Sangli District, Maharashtra, Road Transport, Infrastructure, Government Notification, Public Works

Geo Tags: India, Maharashtra
District: Sangli