Central Government Declares Land Acquisition for Gujarat Railway Project

The Ministry of Railways, through its Western Railway (Construction Organization), issued Notification S.O. 5747(E) on December 11, 2025, formally declaring the acquisition of land for the Adraj Moti-Vijapur Gauge Conversion Project in the Mahesana District of Gujarat. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, marks the culmination of a statutory process initiated under the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). The Central Government had previously declared its intention to acquire land for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of this Special Railway Project through Notification S.O. 5555(E) dated December 24, 2024, issued under sub-section (1) of Section 20A of the said Act. 

Following the initial declaration, the substance of the notification was published in daily newspapers, including The Times of India (English), on January 6, 2025, in compliance with sub-section (4) of Section 20A of the Act. Objections received from affected parties were subsequently considered and disallowed by the Competent Authority, which then submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section (1) of Section 20E of the Railways Act. Upon receipt of this report, the Central Government exercised its powers under sub-section (1) of Section 20E to declare the acquisition of the specified lands. The legislation provided: “...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 declaration ensures that the land listed in the annexed Schedule, comprising various private and government land parcels across Kanbha, Kotdi, and Vijapur villages in Vijapur Tehsil, Mahesana District, is now legally acquired for the railway project. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette. 

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate critical infrastructure development by providing a clear and legally sound mechanism for land acquisition necessary for public utility projects, specifically railway gauge conversion. The Railways Act, 1989, establishes the statutory framework for such acquisitions, addressing the inherent need for land to expand and modernize the national railway network. This particular project, the Adraj Moti-Vijapur Gauge Conversion, aims to enhance connectivity and operational efficiency within the Western Railway zone. The process outlined in the Act, involving initial intention, public notice, consideration of objections, and final declaration, ensures a structured approach to land acquisition, balancing public interest with the rights of landowners. While the notification itself focuses on the declaration of acquisition and vesting of land, the broader statutory framework of the Railways Act, 1989, includes provisions for compensation to affected landowners, thereby addressing the legal and social implications of such projects. The acquisition of these land parcels is crucial for the physical execution of the gauge conversion, which involves changing the track width to a standard gauge, thereby integrating the route more effectively into the broader railway system. 

Keywords: Land acquisition, railway project, gauge conversion, Mahesana, Gujarat, Railways Act 1989, Central Government, notification, infrastructure development, public utility

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Mahesana