BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 18th June 2025: The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has issued a notice to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), directing it to submit a report by July 11 regarding the long-pending compensation to landowners in Jampui Hills, North Tripura district.
The directive comes after complaints that nearly 20 families, whose land was acquired over seven years ago for a national highway project, are yet to receive compensation. Taking suo motu cognizance based on a media report, THRC Chairperson Justice Arindam Lodh highlighted that despite no legal disputes or ownership issues, NHIDCL has failed to disburse the payments, leaving the affected families in prolonged distress.
The Commission noted that the acquisition process was carried out through the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), which in this case was the Additional District Magistrate of North Tripura. Notifications under Section 3A and 3D of the National Highways Act, 1956 were issued on June 25, 2018, and February 4, 2019, respectively, with the final award for compensation announced on January 19, 2021.
However, despite repeated representations and follow-ups by the landowners, NHIDCL has withheld the compensation citing reasons such as changes in project alignment, replacement of contractors, and a new Detailed Project Report (DPR) under preparation.
The Commission observed that this delay constitutes a serious violation of human rights, as the families have been denied their rightful dues without any legal justification.
“Issue notice to the Executive Director, NHIDCL, UD Bhavan, Sukantala Road, Agartala, West Tripura, to submit a report by the next hearing date. A similar notice is also being sent to the Land Acquisition Collector, North Tripura,” the Commission stated in its notice.
