Punjab and Haryana High Court summons DCs over NHAI land dispossession

Taking a grim view of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) being dispossessed of already acquired land, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked Deputy Commissioners of Malerkotla, Sangrur, and Fazilka to remain present in court. The bench orally observed that the act of repossession and administrative inaction in face of hindrances might amount to contempt of court.

The action came after NHAI filed a fresh affidavit drawing the court’s attention to its previous order dated May 5. The bench had specifically directed that any hindrance faced by NHAI in execution of road projects be promptly addressed by the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs.

“In case of dispossession of NHAI, any request made by the executing agency or the regional officer/concerned official of NHAI for removal of such hindrance, the Deputy Commissioner and the SSPs shall ensure expeditious and effective action forthwith,” the court had made it clear.

The affidavit placed before the bench today conveyed that land had been taken back in three instances — two of which pertained to the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. As per NHAI’s status report dated May 12, as much as 0.175 km was taken back in Malerkotla on May 10, 0.07 km in Sangrur on the same date, and 1.77 km in Fazilka on May 7.

NHAI also submitted photographs showing hindrances and stated that contractors had even been asked to remove machinery at one location. NHAI was represented by senior advocate Chetan Mittal. The affidavit noted that the corridor of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway was targeted for completion by December 2026, and the connecting Amritsar spur by December 2027, subject to the state’s continued support.

Punjab