The contribution of each state to the development of national highways by bearing a percentage of land acquisition costs has brought various financial burdens. According to a report presented by the Ministry for Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) in the Parliament, Kerala tops the list followed by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, due to the norm of states bearing 25% of the land acquisition cost.
Key Insights from the Report
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) documented the highest spending on land acquisition and related activities in Maharashtra over the past five years, with Uttar Pradesh and Kerala following. Kerala has submitted a proposal to waive its 25% share for two NHAI projects, implying that the state wants to step away from sharing land acquisition costs for the Ernakulam bypass and the Kollam-Shenkottai stretch. There is also an ongoing discussion about including the Outer Ring Road project under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, which would exempt it from these costs.
Understanding India’s Road Network
Insights into India’s road network show that despite having a road density of 1,926.02 per 1,000 sq.km in 2018-19 (superior to many developed countries), only 64.7% of total roads were surfaced or paved. This is lower when compared to developed countries. Moreover, National Highways cover just 2.09% of the total country’s roads in 2019.
Challenges in Land Acquisition in India
The process of land acquisition in India faces several challenges including high costs due to the amended Land Acquisition Act of 2013, delays in obtaining clearances, community opposition, lack of transparency, and an inadequate legal framework, creating hurdles for both the government and landowners.
Government Initiatives towards Land Acquisition Process Reforms
In an attempt to reform land acquisition processes, the government has implemented several strategies. In 2013, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act replaced the previous Land Acquisition Act of 1894. This introduced new provisions for compensation, consent, social impact assessment, and rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected.
Implications of SVAMITVA Scheme and SEZs Act
The SVAMITVA scheme, launched in 2020, aims to provide property cards to rural landowners, allowing their land to be used as a financial asset. Furthermore, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Act, 2005 was enacted to facilitate the establishment of SEZs in India, providing incentives and exemptions for the development of export-oriented industries.
Digitization of Land Acquisition: Bhoomi Rashi Portal
The Bhoomi Rashi Portal is a significant e-Governance initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The portal aims to expedite land acquisition for National Highways by digitizing and automating the entire process.
Future Prospects
The future focus should be on improving transparency and accountability in land acquisition processes through methods such as online mapping systems and social impact assessments. It is also essential to ensure fair compensation, minimize environmental impacts, and reform the legal framework regarding land acquisition.
The role of UPC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) was concluded with a look at the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund in the Prelims Q1 (2017) and a discussion on the importance of infrastructure investment in inclusive economic growth in Mains Q (2021). These topics highlight the linkages between road infrastructure development and economic growth, which are crucial elements in India’s socio-economic landscape.
