The Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways is to set up two separate
divisions to deal with land acquisition problems, in order to help the Union
Government acquire over 60,000 ha needed for the national highways development
project (NHDP).
Of the two divisions, one will deal with land acquisition, while the other is
likely to pursue matters like forest and environment clearances, land matters
pertaining to defence and railways and shifting of utilities.
The government, which needs 63,211.721 ha for expansion of the highways
network under NHDP has also set up special land acquisition units besides
seeking states' support. The government requires 9,981 ha in Tamil Nadu, 5,862
ha in Madhya Pradesh, 5,630 ha in Uttar Pradesh, 5,148 ha in Haryana, 4,774 ha
in Bihar and 4,124 ha in Rajasthan.