New Expressways : With the rapid pace of infrastructure development in India, particularly in the road transport sector, the government is continuously expanding its network of expressways and national highways. These roadways not only strengthen the transportation system but also significantly impact the value of nearby land. In many regions, land prices along national highways have skyrocketed, attracting investors and land buyers. However, a recent notification has put a halt to any such transactions in specific zones.
If you own land near a national highway or are planning to invest in such land, it is crucial to be aware of a new administrative decision that directly affects the buying and selling of land near certain highway projects. In particular, the construction of a four-lane highway on NH-130B, connecting Raipur to Sarangarh, has led the local administration to impose restrictions on land transactions in the area.
New Expressways : Land Transactions Near NH-130B Now Prohibited
In a significant move, the District Collector of Baloda Bazar, Chhattisgarh, has issued an official notification prohibiting the sale, purchase, division (batwara), and mutation (namantaran) of land located along the stretch of NH-130B passing through villages in the district. This step has been taken to facilitate the smooth land acquisition process for the upcoming four-lane expressway project.
The notification applies specifically to villages falling under three revenue subdivisions:
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Pallari Revenue Subdivision
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Baloda Market Revenue Subdivision
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Kasdol Revenue Subdivision
This administrative order effectively freezes any kind of land registry activities in the affected areas until further notice. Landowners are now restricted from selling or transferring their properties situated near the highway corridor. This restriction is not only intended to control real estate speculation but also to ensure that land acquisition for the highway construction happens without legal complications or inflated land prices.
New Expressways : Why the Land Ban Has Been Imposed
The primary objective behind this notification is to enable a hassle-free and transparent land acquisition process for the NH-130B four-lane highway construction. This project has been identified as a key infrastructure upgrade to improve regional connectivity and reduce traffic congestion between Raipur and Baloda Bazar.
Currently, the existing road is a two-lane highway, which experiences heavy traffic due to its usage by major cement industries and other industrial transport vehicles. With growing traffic pressure and increasing incidents of road accidents, the government has decided to upgrade the two-lane road into a four-lane expressway.
The restriction on land transactions is a proactive measure taken by the authorities to avoid:
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Speculative buying and selling based on future expressway alignment,
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Artificial inflation of land prices,
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Legal disputes related to ownership or registry,
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Delays in the land acquisition process.
New Expressways : NH-130B Four-Lane Project: Key Details
The NH-130B project is being executed under the supervision of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and has received official approval from Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari.
Project Budget
The total estimated cost of the project is ₹1,494 crores, which will be used to convert the existing two-lane road into a four-lane expressway.
Construction Phases
The project will be completed in two phases:
Phase 1:
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Stretch: Raipur to Baloda Market
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Length: 53.1 kilometers
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Estimated Cost: ₹844 crores
Phase 2:
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Stretch: Extension beyond Baloda Market
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Length: 53.1 kilometers (additional)
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Estimated Cost: ₹650 crores
The new expressway will not only decongest the traffic but also bring major economic and logistical advantages to the surrounding areas.
Benefits of Four-Lane Highway Construction
Once completed, the four-lane highway between Raipur and Baloda Bazar will bring multiple benefits to the region:
1. Reduced Traffic Congestion
The current two-lane road is often choked with vehicles, especially heavy trucks transporting industrial goods. A four-lane highway will significantly ease the traffic flow.
2. Enhanced Road Safety
Widening the road will reduce the chances of accidents, especially head-on collisions that are common on narrow highways.
3. Faster Industrial Transport
Being a key route for cement and other industries in the region, the four-lane road will ensure faster and more efficient logistics, reducing transportation costs and time.
4. Boost to Local Economy
Improved road connectivity encourages investment in nearby areas, boosts land value in the long term (after restrictions are lifted), and enhances employment opportunities.
5. Increased Real Estate Value (Post-Completion)
While land transactions are currently halted, once the highway is completed and restrictions lifted, land values are expected to appreciate further due to enhanced connectivity.
Government’s Strategic Planning Behind the Move
This isn’t the first time such a land freeze has been imposed before a major infrastructure project. The government has realized that once an expressway or highway project is announced, real estate speculation often disturbs the fair acquisition process. To avoid this, temporary bans on land transactions have become a common administrative tool.
By implementing this measure, the administration ensures:
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Equitable compensation to landowners during acquisition,
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No illegal land sales or fraudulent ownership transfers,
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Faster project execution timelines with minimal legal hurdles.
What Landowners and Buyers Should Know
If you are a landowner in the affected regions or are planning to buy land near NH-130B:
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Do not proceed with any transaction until the ban is officially lifted.
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Stay updated with district administration announcements or official gazette notifications.
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Consult with local revenue offices or legal experts before making any investment decisions.
Conclusion
The NH-130B four-lane highway project from Raipur to Sarangarh, passing through Baloda Bazar, marks a major step in improving infrastructure in Chhattisgarh. While the current ban on land transactions may affect short-term plans of landowners and investors, it is a necessary administrative move aimed at ensuring a fair and smooth land acquisition process.
Once the project is completed, it is likely to transform the entire region, offering better connectivity, economic growth, and long-term gains for residents and investors alike. Until then, all stakeholders are advised to abide by the notification and avoid any unauthorized land transactions.