The four-laning of the Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal stretch of National Highway 503 faces significant delays due to missing original revenue records of 14 villages in the Nangal subdivision. The project, approved last year by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has yet to commence land acquisition because ownership details for key parcels are unavailable.
Project Approval and Stalled Progress
Punjab Education and Local Bodies Minister Harjot Singh Bains had repeatedly hailed the approval of the four-lane project, stating it would improve connectivity and reduce accidents on the heavily congested highway. However, official sources told The Tribune that the issuance of the land acquisition notification has been delayed because the original revenue records of 14 villages falling within the proposed alignment are missing.
Senior revenue officials associated with the project said the department is now considering issuing the land acquisition notification for the remaining villages while excluding the affected 14 villages. This proposal, however, would require the approval of the NHAI before implementation.
Official Confirmation of Stalled Work
SDM Nangal Sachin Pathak admitted that the land acquisition work for the four-laning of the Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal national highway had been stalled due to the non-availability of revenue records from the region. He stated that efforts are being made to resolve the impasse. Although the highway project received approval last year, work has yet to commence due to unresolved land ownership issues.
The existing two-lane road carries heavy traffic and has witnessed a rising number of accidents over the years, making its expansion a long-standing demand of residents. The missing records have also affected other government projects, including the proposed Judicial Court Complex at Nangal.
Impact on Judicial Court Complex and Other Projects
Although the district administration got an FIR registered in the case of missing land records, no further action has been taken. In a recent public notice, the Tehsildar of Nangal informed residents that the land acquisition process for the court complex had commenced, but ownership records relating to Khasra numbers 401, 402, and 403 in village Nikku Nangal were unavailable. The notice invited individuals possessing certified ownership documents to submit them before June 6. It further stated that if no objections or ownership documents are received, the land could be declared government property under Section 42(3)(b) read with Clause 4 of the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887.
Administrative Challenges and Encroachments
Administrative sources said the absence of original revenue records has severely affected governance in the subdivision. Apart from delaying major infrastructure projects, the missing records have hindered routine land mutations, demarcations, and acquisition proceedings. Over the past few years, the administration attempted to reconstruct the missing records with the assistance of retired revenue officials and technical experts. However, officials admitted that the exercise failed to restore complete ownership details.
“The administration attempted reconstruction through retired revenue officers and modern survey techniques, but several gaps remained. Development projects continue to suffer because ownership of many parcels cannot be conclusively established,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity.
Affected Villages and Concerns
The missing records relate to the villages of Sehjowal, Meghpur, Manakour, Ajouli, Nikku Nangal, Nangali, Kalsera, Bandlehri, Dukli, Jol, Sagatpur, Kulgran, Bhatton, and Daroli. Officials also expressed concern that the disappearance of revenue records has encouraged encroachments on government land in parts of the Nangal area. They believe that bringing disputed land under government control would help curb illegal occupation while facilitating public infrastructure projects.
