NHAI officers behave like dictators, says Gujarat HC in land acquisition case

Updated: Feb 2nd, 2024


In a land acquisition case, the Gujarat High Court came down heavily on the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for resorting to unnecessary litigation resulting in delayed projects.

The bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee termed the top officials of NHAI “dictators”.

The Gujarat HC dismissed NHAI’s appeal, dubbing it groundless.

The high court slammed officials of NHAI, saying that if they make mistakes like these, the HC will summon them to court and give strict orders.

“Due to this behaviour of NHAI’s top officials, many people are troubled. Their apathy towards people will not be allowed. People are crying because of you,” said HC.

As per the details of the case, the land of many private owners was acquired under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988.

A disputed piece of land was part of the town planning, and it was identified for the construction of a public road and a common facility.

The acquisition officer had decided on the token rate of ₹1 per sq m for public roads in an official notification.

However, an arbitrator tribunal termed the deal inappropriate and illegal, keeping the rate at the market price of ₹6 per sq m.

After the commercial court dismissed NHAI's plea, the Gujarat High Court also dismissed the appeal of NHAI on the very first hearing.


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