Central Government Appoints Arbitrator for Special Railway Project in Madhya Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways, through the West Central Railway (Construction Organisation), has issued a formal notification under the Railways Act, 1989, to facilitate the progress of a significant infrastructure initiative in Madhya Pradesh. This notification, designated as S.O. 5462(E) and dated November 27, 2025, pertains to the appointment of an arbitrator for a designated Special Railway Project. The instrument was issued by the Central Government in exercise of its delegated legislative powers to ensure the smooth execution and management of railway works. The notification came into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, establishing the legal authority of the appointed official with immediate effect.

The scope of this legislative action is centered on the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) in lieu of Level Crossing (LC) No. 344. This project is located at KM 1052/7-8 between the Dundi and Sleemnabad stations on the Itarsi-Katni section. To manage the legal and administrative requirements of this project, the Central Government has appointed the Collector of Katni to serve as the arbitrator. This official will exercise jurisdiction over the Sleemnabad Tehsil within the Katni District, performing the functions of the competent authority as prescribed under the Act for the purposes of execution, maintenance, management, and operation of the bridge.

The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (6) of section 20 F of the Railway Act, 1989 (Railway Amendment Act, 2008), the Central Government, hereby appoints the arbitrator mentioned in column (2) of the table below to perform the functions as such authority under the said Act, with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Gazette of India”

The policy rationale behind this notification is to provide a robust enforcement mechanism for the development of special railway infrastructure. By invoking Section 20F of the Railways Act, 1989, which was incorporated through the Railway Amendment Act of 2008, the government utilizes a specialized statutory framework designed to expedite land-related matters and dispute resolution. The earlier legal position often involved protracted litigation or administrative delays in general civil courts; however, the current framework allows for the appointment of a specific arbitrator or a designated authority to resolve disputes to handle claims related to the project. This ensures that the statutory gaps in project management are addressed through a dedicated authority. The appointment of the District Collector as the arbitrator serves the legislative intent of providing a localized and efficient resolution process, thereby ensuring that the construction of the Road Over Bridge proceeds without undue legal interruptions while safeguarding the statutory rights of those affected by the project in the Katni district.

Keywords: Ministry of Railways, Railways Act 1989, Special Railway Project, Arbitrator Appointment, Madhya Pradesh, Road Over Bridge, Katni District, Land Acquisition, Infrastructure Development

Geo Tags: India, Madhya Pradesh
District: Katni