In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has stressed the need for a compensation mechanism for National Highways land acquisitions that is on par with other acquisition laws. The Court observed that the existing framework often results in discrepancies in compensation, leading to an imbalance between landowners and government projects.
While hearing a case related to land acquisition for National Highways projects, the Court noted that the compensation offered under the National Highways Act must be equitable and aligned with the provisions outlined in other land acquisition laws, such as the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR).
The Supreme Court underlined the necessity of ensuring that the financial recompense to those displaced by such projects matches the fair compensation granted under other acquisition laws, thereby safeguarding the interests of landowners. The judgment highlights the constitutional importance of treating all stakeholders with fairness and providing them with just and fair compensation for their land.
Legal experts have welcomed the ruling, which is expected to bring about uniformity in how landowners are compensated across different acquisition procedures. The Supreme Court’s intervention in this case will likely lead to significant reforms in how compensation is determined for National Highways acquisitions, ensuring that it is not only transparent but also just.
The ruling reiterates that the government must not only prioritize infrastructure development but also uphold the legal rights of citizens whose lands are taken for national projects.
