NHAI Shuts Down CALA Cells in Six Tehsils of Odisha's Jagatsinghpur

11 Feb 2025 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has discontinued the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) cells in six tehsils of Jagatsinghpur district. This decision has impacted the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Cuttack-Kandarpur-Paradip economic corridor, along with inter-corridors and feeder routes under Bharatmala Pariyojana Lot-5.

The move has been met with approval from local farmers, who had raised concerns about land acquisition for the project. While they did not oppose the project itself, they had urged authorities to consider alternative routes through government land or along the dead Paika River to minimise the impact on private agricultural lands.

Following the discontinuation of the CALA cells, the administration took steps to engage with affected farmers. Notices were issued for a meeting held on January 13, where sub-collector Prasant Kumar Tarai, NHAI project director KN Rao, and other officials interacted with the farmers to discuss the developments and address their concerns.

News source: The New Indian Express

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