Question : NATIONAL HIGHWAY NO. 2

(a) whether there is any scheme to pay compensation to the farmers and others for the land acquired in connection with the widening of National Highway No.2;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the norms fixed for the same and the time by which compensation is likely to be paid;

(d) whether the factor of public institutions has been kept in view while constructing median opening during the course of four laning and widening of the National Highway No.2;

(e) if so, the number of requests received from public institutions or other individuals in this regard; and

(f) the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (MAJOR GENERAL (RETD.) B.C. KHANDURI)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c) The compensation to the farmers and others for the land acquired for widening of National Highway No.2 is determined as per the provisions of National Highways (Amendment) Act, 1997/Land Acquisition Act, 1984, as the case may be. The rate of compensation is determined by the Competent Authority after taking into account the provision of the respective Act and other relevant factors. The amount so determined is placed at his disposal by National Highways Authority of India. The Competent Authority, thereafter, disburses the amount to the affected individuals. The payments have already been disbursed to the farmers in many stretches of National Highway No. 2. Efforts are being made to get the compensation amounts determined by the Competent Authority in the remaining cases expeditiously and get them disbursed by March, 2003.

(d) Yes, Sir.

(e) & (f) One request was received regarding a median opening for a school near Naurmai in the District of Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh, which was not agreed to, as median opening was already available nearby and too many closely spaced openings in the median are safety hazards.