Missing revenue records of 14 villages in Nangal subdivision have emerged as a major hurdle in the proposed four-laning of the Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal stretch of National Highway-503.The project was approved by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) last year. State Education and Local Bodies Minister Harjot Singh Bains has repeatedly hailed the approval of the project, stating that it would improve connectivity and reduce accidents on the congested highway.However, official sources told The Tribune that the issuance of the land acquisition notification for the project had been delayed because the original revenue records of 14 villages falling within the proposed alignment were missing.Senior revenue officials said the department was now considering issuing the land acquisition notification for the remaining villages by excluding the 14 villages. The proposal, however, would require the approval of the NHAI.Nangal SDM Sachin Pathak admitted that the land acquisition for the four-laning project had been stalled due to non-availability of revenue records of 14 villages from the region. “Efforts are being made to resolve the impasse,” he said.Although the highway project received approval last year, work is 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 issue has also affected other projects, including the proposed Judicial Court Complex at Nangal.Though the district administration has registered an FIR over missing land records, no further action has been taken.In a recent public notice, the Nangal tehsildar informed residents that the land acquisition process for the court complex had commenced but ownership records relating to khasra numbers 401, 402 and 403 at Nikku Nangal village were unavailable. The notice asked individuals who possessed certified ownership documents to submit them.The notice further said if no objections or ownership documents were 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 sources said the absence of original revenue records had disrupted 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 remain. Developmental projects continue to suffer because ownership of many parcels of land cannot be conclusively established,” a senior official said.The missing records relate to the villages of Sehjowal, Meghpur, Manakpur, Ajouli, Nikku Nangal, Nangali, Kalsera, Bandlehri, Dukli, Jol, Sagatpur, Kulgran, Bhatton and Daroli.Officials also expressed concern that the disappearance of revenue records had encouraged encroachments on government land in parts of the Nangal area. They said bringing disputed land under government control would help curb illegal occupation while facilitating public infrastructure projects.