The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) plans to appoint a non-technical consultant for the first time to tackle land acquisition issues and speed up highway construction. The Ministry aims to recruit a retired government official, preferably a sub-divisional magistrate or higher, with extensive expertise in land revenue and acquisition, as detailed in a circular.

The goal is to enhance the efficiency of highway project awards and construction by refining land acquisition procedures, which are often blamed for project delays, the report suggested.

Delays in critical infrastructure projects have been attributed to complexities in land acquisition and inadequate communication between acquirers and landowners. The Ministry highlighted that sluggish processes and delays in issuing notifications frequently impede the availability of land, according to the business daily.

As part of the initiative to expedite highway construction, the appointed consultant will advise on policy matters, land acquisition strategies, handling public grievances, and legal matters. Their duties will encompass overseeing projects, coordinating land acquisition efforts, managing the Bhoomi Rashi and related online portals, and fulfilling additional assignments directed by the Ministry. The Bhoomi Rashi platform facilitates the online processing of land acquisition notifications, aiming to accelerate highway projects across India.