“10. Keeping in view the object of reducing delay and speedy implementation of highway projects, the amended National Highways Act does away with any “award” by way of an offer to the landowner. Post the notification under Section 3A, objections are to be heard by the competent authority, whose order is then made final. The moment the authority disallows the objections, a report is submitted to the Central Government, and on receipt of such report, the Central Government, by a declaration, states that the land should be acquired for the purpose mentioned in Section 3A. The important innovation made by the Amendment Act is that vesting is not postponed to after an award is made by the Competent Authority. Vesting takes place as soon as the Section 3D declaration is made. One other important difference between the Amendment Act and the Land Acquisition Act is that determination of compensation is to be made by the competent authority under the Amendment Act which, if not accepted by either party, is then to be determined by an Arbitrator to be appointed by the Central Government. Such arbitrator’s Award is then subject to challenge under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Thus, delays in references made to District Judges and appeals therefrom to the High Court and Supreme Court have been obviated. Section 3G(7) does not provide for grant of solatium, and Section 3H(5) awards interest at the rate of 9% on the excess amount determined by the arbitrator over what is determined by the competent authority without the period of one year contained in the proviso to Section 28 of the
