Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for NH227B Expansion in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued Notification S.O. 3946(E) on August 28, 2025, declaring the acquisition of land for the construction, maintenance, management, and operation of National Highway 227B. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), finalizes the acquisition process for a specific stretch of the highway from Km. 29.000 to Km. 47.878 (Sarpur-Gosaiganj) PKG-II, located in the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh. The action follows a previous notification, S.O. 1903(E) dated April 25, 2025, which had declared the Central Government's intention to acquire the land under sub-section (1) of section 3A of the National Highway Act, 1956 (48 of 1956). 

Following the public notification, the Competent Authority received objections under Section 3-C of the said Act, which were duly considered and settled. A report was then submitted to the Central Government by the Competent Authority, as mandated by sub-section (1) of section 3D of the Act. Upon receipt of this report, the Central Government exercised its powers under sub-section (1) of section 3D to declare the land specified in the annexed Schedule as acquired for the stated purpose of highway development. Furthermore, in accordance with sub-section (2) of section 3D, the notification stipulates that upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the specified land shall vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances (legal claims or liabilities). The Schedule details various parcels of land, including both government and private agricultural plots, along with their respective areas and names of land owners or interested persons, such as Ram Milan Singh, Shiv Pujan Singh, and Nandlal, among others, whose properties are affected by this acquisition. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on August 28, 2025.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate crucial infrastructure development by ensuring the smooth and legally sound acquisition of land necessary for the expansion and modernization of National Highway 227B. The policy rationale underscores the government's commitment to improving national connectivity and transportation networks, which are vital for economic growth and public convenience. The National Highway Act, 1956, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, outlining a clear process from initial declaration of intent to final vesting of land. This notification addresses the procedural requirements and finalizes the acquisition phase, ensuring that any objections raised by affected parties were heard and resolved by the Competent Authority. The legislation provided: “…the Central Government hereby declares that the land specified in the said Schedule should be acquired for the aforesaid purpose; 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 declaration ensures a clear title for the Central Government, enabling the commencement of construction activities without legal impediments. The process ensures that the land, once acquired, becomes the property of the Central Government, allowing for the unhindered execution of the highway project, which includes widening and upgrading the existing road infrastructure.

Keywords: National Highway Act, 1956, land acquisition, NH227B, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, infrastructure development, government notification, land vesting

Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh
District: Ayodhya