Central Government Declares Land Acquisition for Churu-Sadulpur Railway Doubling Project in Rajasthan

The Ministry of Railways, through a Notification identified as S.O. 987(E), issued on February 25, 2025, formally declared the acquisition of land for the Churu-Sadulpur (57.82 km) Doubling Project in District Churu, Rajasthan. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section-3, Sub-section (ii) on February 27, 2025, follows an earlier declaration of intent made on December 17, 2024, under S.O. 5472(E). The process for this acquisition was carried out under the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 20A and sub-section (1) and (2) of section 20E of the Railway Act, 1989 (Act 24 of 1989), as amended by the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008 (Act 11 of 2008). The initial notification of intent was subsequently published in local daily newspapers, Rajasthan Patrika and Danik Bhasker, on December 21, 2024, as required by sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act. Objections received by the Competent Authority within the stipulated timeframe were resolved, and a report was submitted to the Central Government in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 20E. Upon publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, the specified land vested absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances. The schedule annexed to the notification provided a brief description of the land parcels, including survey numbers, type and nature of land, area to be acquired, and names of land owners or interested persons, located across various villages and tehsils within District Churu, specifically for the Rajgarh sub-division.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure, specifically through the doubling of the Churu-Sadulpur railway line. This project aims to enhance railway capacity and operational efficiency in the region. The legal necessity for such an acquisition arises from the public purpose of developing critical national infrastructure. The earlier legal position was governed by the Railway Act, 1989, which provides the framework for railway construction and land acquisition. The Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008, introduced specific provisions, including sections 20A and 20E, to streamline the land acquisition process for railway projects, addressing potential issues and limitations in prior frameworks by establishing clear procedures for declaration of intent, handling of objections, and final acquisition. 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 here to shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances”. This provision underscores the finality and legal consequence of the notification, ensuring that the acquired land is unencumbered for the railway project. The process outlined, involving public notification, opportunity for objection, and resolution by a Competent Authority, serves as the enforcement mechanism for these acquisitions, ensuring due process while enabling timely project execution.

Keywords: Railway Act, Land Acquisition, Churu-Sadulpur Doubling Project, Ministry of Railways, Rajasthan, Infrastructure Development, Official Gazette, Competent Authority, Railway (Amendment) Act
Geo Tags: India, Rajasthan
District: Churu