Patna: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is facing major delays in completing road and bridge projects across Bihar due to what it describes as unnecessary and misleading litigation linked to land acquisition disputes. Officials say a large part of their time is being spent in courts instead of supervising construction work on the ground.
To reduce the burden of avoidable cases and prevent projects from getting stalled, NHAI has decided to seek support from the Bihar State Legal Services Authority. The move aims to create awareness among landowners in project-affected areas about the Land Acquisition Act and related legal provisions, so that disputes can be resolved at an early stage without reaching courts.
Under the initiative, District Legal Services Authority teams will conduct awareness drives in villages located along proposed and ongoing highway projects. Panel advocates and para-legal volunteers (PLVs) will educate landholders about compensation norms, land classification, and their legal rights. These volunteers will also be trained specifically on land acquisition laws and procedures.
NHAI Regional Officer N. L. Yotkar has written to the Bihar State Legal Services Authority proposing joint awareness workshops across the state. He said the effectiveness of land acquisition and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights depend largely on public awareness. “Panel advocates and para-legal volunteers are the first point of contact for common people, so it is essential that they are properly trained in land acquisition matters,” he said. The training and outreach programme is scheduled to begin from February 14 in districts across Bihar.
Several key infrastructure projects in the state are currently affected by litigation. Construction of the four-lane road between Majhauli and Choraut in Sitamarhi has been halted at multiple locations. In Paroo, disputes over compensation have delayed land acquisition for the Patna–Areraj National Highway. Objections have also been raised over land acquisition for the Buxar–Bhagalpur Expressway. Similarly, in Samastipur district, acquisition for the Haldia–Raxaul six-lane Expressway is facing resistance in several areas.
In Muzaffarpur alone, around 450 cases related to land acquisition are pending. Of these, nearly 300 are in regular courts and about 150 are before mediation courts. Most cases involve disputes over the classification of land and the amount of compensation. Villagers often claim that land identified for acquisition is commercial in nature, while NHAI treats it as agricultural land. This difference leads to legal battles, appeals, and prolonged stays on acquisition, ultimately bringing road and bridge construction to a standstill.
Officials say that by increasing awareness about land acquisition laws and compensation mechanisms, they hope to reduce misunderstandings, cut down on litigation, and speed up infrastructure development across Bihar.
