Assam Moves to Fast-Track Land Acquisition for Infrastructure Projects

Guwahati: The Assam government moved to simplify land acquisition on July 22. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika tabled the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2026. He acted on behalf of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta. The bill aims to bypass specific legal hurdles.

The legislation seeks to amend Section 10A of the principal Act. It allows the state to skip Chapters II and III of current laws. These sections mandate Social Impact Assessments and agricultural land safeguards. The government claims it will take only the land it needs. "The government has stated that only the bare minimum land required for such projects will be notified for exemption under the amended provisions."

Exemptions cover a wide reach. These include national security and defense, rural infrastructure like electrification, and health or education facilities. The list extends to affordable housing for the poor and economically weaker sections. Industrial areas, state-backed estates, and industrial corridors also qualify. Projects under Public-Private Partnership models where the state keeps ownership fall under these new rules. Planned urban development near airports is included, too.

Officials want faster growth. They intend to speed up strategic infrastructure while keeping state control over land determinations. The bill is currently before the Assembly.