High Court asks Punjab Govt to hand over land to NHAI for projects, seeks status report by May 5

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that disputes over compensation or ongoing arbitration proceedings could not be used as a reason to block highway construction by NHAI.

3 min readChandigarhApr 11, 2025 03:28 PM IST

Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling on NHAI land acquisition.

The bench also made it clear that if any landowners were unlawfully holding on to acquired land or obstructing construction, authorities must take action as per law to remove such hindrances. (File Photo/Jasbir Malhi)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed deputy commissioners and police officers across Punjab to ensure that all land acquired for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects is handed over to the agency without delay. The bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Kuldeep Tiwari also directed authorities concerned to submit a fresh status report before the next hearing on May 5.

The interim order was passed on April 4 in a petition filed by NHAI over repeated obstructions in the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, and related highway corridors across Punjab. The order was uploaded Friday.

The bench noted that despite acquisition proceedings being completed in many areas, construction remained stalled due to resistance from landowners, pending compensation, and procedural delays. The bench ruled that disputes over compensation or ongoing arbitration proceedings could not be used as a reason to block highway construction. “The pendency of arbitration proceedings may not be a valid deterring ground,” the bench held, adding that NHAI was entitled to take possession of the acquired land regardless of such claims.

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The bench told officials to take all necessary steps, including police support, to clear any remaining encumbrances.

The petition was argued by Senior Advocate Chetan Mittal, assisted by advocates R S Madaan, Mayank Aggarwal, and Mahender Joshi. Counsel C S Bagri and Gurjit Kaur Jassar Bagri appeared for other applicants in related matters.

In compliance with the court’s earlier order dated March 21, deputy commissioners and police chiefs from over a dozen Punjab districts submitted affidavits outlining local challenges and timelines. While many districts reported that the bulk of the land had already been handed over, stretches in Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Moga, Fazilka, and others remained partially blocked due to ongoing protests, crop harvesting, or compensation-related issues. Several district administrations sought two to four weeks to resolve these.

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The bench directed that possession of all such land parcels must now be delivered to NHAI without further excuse. “All concerned are directed to ensure that encumbrance-free delivery of possession of the relevant tract(s) of land(s) becomes made to the NHAI,” the bench said.

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In areas where awards for built-up structures were still pending, the land acquisition officers were ordered to issue them immediately. The bench also made it clear that if any landowners were unlawfully holding on to acquired land or obstructing construction, authorities must take action as per law to remove such hindrances.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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