Central Government Acquires Land for Railway Over Bridge Project in Telangana

The Ministry of Railways (South Central Railway) issued a significant notification on April 7, 2025, declaring the acquisition of specific land parcels in Telangana for a crucial railway infrastructure project. This delegated legislation, published as S.O. 1642(E) in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, formalizes the acquisition process under the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). The primary objective of this acquisition is the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) in place of level crossing No. 23, situated on the Kazipet to Balharshah section between Jammikunta and Bisugirsheriff Stations in the Karimnagar district of Telangana. This project is designated as a Special Railway Project, aimed at enhancing railway safety and operational efficiency.

The notification follows a prescribed legal procedure, which commenced with the Central Government's initial declaration of intent to acquire the land, as outlined in a previous notification, S.O. 5495(E), dated December 19, 2024, and published on December 23, 2024, under sub-section (1) of section 20A of the said Act. Subsequently, the substance of this intention was disseminated through daily newspapers, including Nava Telangana (Telugu), Deccan Chronicle (English), and Hindi Milap (Hindi) on December 26, 2024, with a corrigendum issued on January 1, 2025, in compliance with sub-section (4) of section 20A. The Ministry reported that no objections were received regarding the proposed acquisition, and any potential concerns were considered and disallowed by the Competent Authority. Following this, the competent authority submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 20E of the Act. Upon the publication of this notification in the Official Gazette on April 7, 2025, the specified land came into force as acquired and vested absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely execution, maintenance, management, and operation of vital railway infrastructure projects. The policy rationale underscores the government's commitment to modernizing the railway network, particularly by eliminating level crossings, which are often points of congestion and safety hazards. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, ensuring a structured process for land procurement necessary for public utility projects. The construction of a Road Over Bridge directly addresses the issues of safety and traffic flow that arise from level crossings, thereby improving the overall efficiency and security of both road and rail transport. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government hereby declares that on publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the Schedule annexed hereto shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances.” This provision ensures that the acquired land is unencumbered, allowing for seamless project implementation without legal disputes over ownership or rights. The detailed schedule annexed to the notification specifies the survey numbers, area, nature of land, and names of affected Pattedars (landowners) and Enjoyers/Cultivators, ensuring transparency in the acquisition process for the 3.19 acres of land.

Keywords: Railway Land Acquisition, Telangana, Karimnagar, Ministry of Railways, Railways Act 1989, Road Over Bridge, Infrastructure Project, Land Vesting, Official Gazette

Geo Tags: India, Telangana
District: Karimnagar