Central Government Declares Land Acquisition for Wardha Yavatmal Nanded New BG Railway Line Project

The Ministry of Railways (Central Railway) issued Notification S.O. 972(E) on February 17, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, on February 25, 2025. This notification served as a formal declaration by the Central Government to acquire specific lands for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of the Special Railway Project, known as the Wardha Yavatmal Nanded New BG Railway Line. The project is situated in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. This declaration followed an earlier notification, S.O. 1756(A) dated April 10, 2024, which had initially declared the Central Government's intention to acquire these lands under sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008 (an Act that provides for the acquisition of land for railway projects). The substance of that initial notification was subsequently published in daily newspapers, Sinhzep on May 25, 2024, and Vidarbh Matdar on May 26, 2024, in compliance with sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act, allowing for public awareness and potential objections. No objections were received regarding the proposed acquisition, and the competent authority considered the matter before passing orders. Following the submission of a report by the competent authority to the Central Government, as required by sub-section 20E of the Act, the final declaration for acquisition was made. The lands detailed in the annexed schedule, which include various survey numbers and land parcels belonging to multiple landholders in Karli village, Taluka-Dist-Yavatmal Nagri Section, are now to be acquired for the stated railway purpose. The notification explicitly stated that upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the specified lands would vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances (legal claims or liabilities on the property).

The legislative intent behind this notification was to facilitate the timely and unhindered progress of the Wardha Yavatmal Nanded New BG Railway Line, a critical infrastructure project aimed at enhancing railway connectivity. The earlier legal position, established by the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008, provided a structured framework for land acquisition for railway projects, beginning with an intention declaration and culminating in a final acquisition order. This notification addressed the statutory requirement to formalize the acquisition process after the initial declaration of intent and the subsequent public consultation phase. By declaring the final acquisition, the Central Government aimed to overcome any potential statutory gaps or limitations that could impede the project's development. The process, as outlined in the notification, adhered strictly to the provisions of the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008, particularly sections 20A and 20E, which govern the stages of land acquisition for railway purposes. The legislation provided: “And Further, in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 20E of the said Act, the Central Government here by 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 ensures that once acquired, the land becomes the unencumbered property of the Central Government, thereby simplifying its utilization for the railway project without future legal disputes over ownership or claims. The notification effectively transfers ownership and control of the identified land parcels from private landholders to the Central Government, enabling the construction and operation of the new broad gauge railway line.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railway (Amendment) Act 2008, Wardha Yavatmal Nanded New BG Railway Line, Ministry of Railways, Maharashtra, Yavatmal, infrastructure project, Central Government, land vesting Geo Tags: India, Maharashtra District: Yavatmal