MoRTH Proposes Amendments to National Highways Act to Streamline Land Acquisition

New Delhi, 4th Sep 2025 |TRT Staff

In a significant move to accelerate highway development across the country, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed key amendments to the National Highways Act, 1956. The changes aim to simplify land acquisition procedures, enhance transparency, and bolster enforcement mechanisms related to highway infrastructure projects.

The proposals were discussed during a high-level State Consultation Conference chaired by Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Wednesday. Senior officials from MoRTH, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, made detailed presentations on the objectives and features of the proposed amendments.

“Their perspectives and suggestions were solicited to ensure that the policies, once finalized, are practical and aligned with the needs of States and cities across the country”, said the ministry.

Among the major changes proposed were streamlining compensation processes, strengthening dispute resolution mechanism, and ensuring wider public communication of notifications. Alongside these changes, stricter enforcement of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002 was also proposed to protect the right of way.

Notably, the proposal includes delegating enforcement powers to local authorities, such as District Magistrates, to enable quicker action against illegal encroachments and smoother execution of highway projects.

The suggestions received from states would be duly considered before finalizing the policies, said the ministry.
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