Central Government Designates Competent Authorities for Railway Land Acquisition in Andhra Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways, through a notification identified as S.O. 1701(E), has formally designated specific officers to act as Competent Authorities for land acquisition concerning several special railway projects. This delegated legislation, issued by the Central Government, came into effect on April 11, 2025, the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. The notification was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (7A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989, a statute that governs the construction, maintenance, and operation of railways in India. The primary reason for the issuance of this notification is to facilitate and streamline the process of land acquisition required for the timely execution, maintenance, management, and operation of critical railway infrastructure projects.

The notification specifically authorizes Revenue Divisional Officers in Andhra Pradesh to perform the functions of the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition. This includes the Revenue Divisional Officer, Anakapalli, and the Revenue Divisional Officer, Narsipatnam. These officers are designated for projects involving the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) in lieu of existing Level Crossings. The identified projects include the construction of ROBs at Km. 730/17-19 between Bayyavaram - Narasingapalli stations, at Km. 740/6-8 between Bayyavaram - Anakapalle stations, at Km. 693/12-14 between Gullipadu - Narsipatnam Road stations, and at Km. 709/26-28 between Narsipatnam Road - Regupalem Stations, all located within the Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (7A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989 the Central Government hereby authorizes the officer mentioned in the column (5) of the Table below to perform the functions of the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition in respect of the Special Railway Project as mentioned in column (2) of the Table for execution, maintenance, management and operation in the state mentioned in column (3) of the said table with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.” This measure directly impacts landowners whose properties may be required for these projects, as well as the local administrative bodies responsible for land records and acquisition processes.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to ensure the efficient and expedited acquisition of land necessary for the development of railway infrastructure. By specifically designating Competent Authorities (officials empowered to acquire land for public purposes), the Central Government aims to overcome potential delays in project implementation. The policy rationale underscores the importance of upgrading railway safety and efficiency, particularly through the replacement of level crossings with Road Over Bridges, which reduce accidents and improve traffic flow. This action addresses any statutory gaps or administrative limitations that might have previously hindered the swift acquisition of land for such vital public works. While the notification does not introduce new rights or obligations in the broader sense, it clarifies and operationalizes the enforcement mechanism for land acquisition under the Railways Act, 1989, by assigning clear responsibilities to specific local authorities. This approach is crucial for the seamless progression of railway projects that are essential for regional connectivity and economic development.

Keywords: Railways Act 1989, land acquisition, Road Over Bridge, Ministry of Railways, notification, Andhra Pradesh, Anakapalli, Competent Authority, railway projects, infrastructure

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh District: Anakapalli