Central Government Acquires Land in Visakhapatnam for East Coast Railway Special Project

The Ministry of Railways, through the East Coast Railway (Construction), issued a formal notification under the Railways Act, 1989, to finalize the acquisition of land for a significant infrastructure project in Andhra Pradesh. This notification, identified as S.O. 4866(E) and dated October 24, 2025, marked the culmination of a statutory process initiated earlier in the year to facilitate the construction of the 3rd and 4th railway lines between Duvvada and Simhachalam North. The project, spanning approximately 20.543 kilometers within the Visakhapatnam district, was designated as a Special Railway Project, necessitating the compulsory acquisition of specific land parcels to ensure its execution, maintenance, and operational management.

The legislative process began with a preliminary notification issued on January 13, 2025, under Section 20A(1) of the Railways Act, which declared the Central Government’s intention to acquire the land. Following statutory requirements, the substance of this intention was published in local newspapers, including the Telugu daily Sakshi and the English daily The Times of India, in February 2025. The Ministry noted that no objections were received from the public during the prescribed period following these publications. Consequently, the Competent Authority submitted its report to the Central Government, leading to the final declaration of acquisition.

The legislation provided: “…on publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the schedule annexed here to shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances.”

This declaration, made under Section 20E(1) of the Railways Act, 1989, effectively transferred the ownership of the scheduled lands to the Union. The policy rationale behind this move centered on the legal necessity of expanding railway capacity in the region to meet growing logistical and transport demands. By utilizing the provisions of the Railways Act, the government addressed the statutory requirement for a clear title to land required for public infrastructure. The specific lands affected by this notification are situated in Narava village within the Pendurthi Mandal of Visakhapatnam. The schedule annexed to the notification detailed various plots, primarily classified as private land, which were required for the project.

The enforcement of this notification ensured that the identified land parcels were cleared of any prior legal claims or encumbrances (legal burdens or interests such as mortgages or easements), allowing the East Coast Railway to proceed with the construction of the additional lines. This statutory framework replaced the earlier status of the land, transitioning it from private ownership to state-held property for public utility. The notification came into force immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette on October 24, 2025, providing the necessary legal authorization for the commencement of the Special Railway Project’s physical works.

Keywords: Railways Act 1989, Land Acquisition, East Coast Railway, Visakhapatnam, Special Railway Project, Section 20E, Ministry of Railways, Andhra Pradesh

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh
District: Visakhapatnam