Central Government Designates Competent Authority for Odisha Railway Projects

The Ministry of Railways, East Coast Railway (Construction), issued a Notification, S.O. 828(E), on February 17, 2025, formally designating a Competent Authority for specific railway projects in Odisha. This notification was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Clause 7(A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). The primary reason for its issuance was to authorize a specific officer to perform the functions of a Competent Authority under the said Act, thereby facilitating the execution and oversight of critical railway infrastructure developments. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on February 17, 2025.

The key provision of the notification formally authorized Sri Munindra Honnage, OAS (S), In-Charge, Special Land Acquisition Officer (LOA), Lanjigarh-Junagarh Rail Link Project, Bhawanipatna, to serve as the Competent Authority. This designation specifically applies to the area encompassing the Lanjigarh-Junagarh Rail Link Project and the establishment of an Electric Loco Periodical Overhauling Workshop at Narla, which falls under the Sambalpur Division of East Coast Railway. This action directly affects the administrative structure and operational oversight of these significant railway undertakings in the state of Odisha.

The legislative intent behind such notifications is to operationalize the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989, by ensuring that specific projects have a designated authority responsible for carrying out statutory functions. The earlier legal position under the Railways Act, 1989, provides the framework for the Central Government to appoint such authorities, and this notification addresses the specific need for a Competent Authority for these particular Special Railway Projects. By designating an officer, the notification fills a crucial administrative gap, ensuring that the necessary legal and procedural functions related to land acquisition, project execution, and other statutory requirements can be effectively performed. The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers, conferred by Clause 7(A) of Section-2 of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989) the Central Government hereby authorize the officer mentioned in column (2) of the Table below as the Competent Authority to perform the function of such authority under said Act in respect of area of the Special Railway Project mentioned in column (3) of the Table below in the state of Odisha with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.” This authorization introduces a clear obligation for the designated officer to undertake the specified functions, thereby streamlining the implementation of these vital infrastructure projects.

Keywords: Railways Act, Competent Authority, Odisha, East Coast Railway, Railway Project, Narla, Lanjigarh-Junagarh, Ministry of Railways, Notification
Geo Tags: India, Odisha
District: Not Applicable