Centre for 100% land acquisition before NHAI tenders

With several road projects delayed on account of land acquisition problems, the Centre is now planning to ask states to acquire 100 per cent of the land before the National Highways Authority of India puts up a stretch for tendering.

At present, tenders are allowed after 80 per cent of the land is acquired.

The issue is expected to be discussed at the next meeting of the prime minister's committee on infrastructure.

"In many cases, acquisition of remaining land portion has caused delays which has embarrassed the central ministry. This point was raised by the Cabinet Secretary BK Chaturvedi at a recent meeting of the Centre with state chief secretaries," a government official told Business Standard.

This move will also ensure that states deliver on their land acquisition promises.

In the last review meeting of the infrastructure committee, it was agreed that lack of interest by states in land acquisition and environmental clearances was causing avoidable delays.

It was also agreed that priority should be given to states which gave faster land acquisition and environmental clearances.

During the meeting with state chief secretaries the road transport ministry also highlighted the lack of co-operation from states in acquiring land.

In fact, NHAI Chairman Santosh Nautiyal cited the case of a 50-km project in Tamil Nadu on which work had begun, but could not be completed due to the inability of the state government to acquire the land required to construct a four km stretch of road.

The Centre had also asked the states to appoint nodal officers to co-ordinate land acquisition with the road transport ministry. However, the ministry says many states are yet to appoint officers to these positions.