Central Government Finalizes Land Acquisition for Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal Railway Doubling Project

The Ministry of Railways (North Central Railway, Construction Department) issued a Notification, S.O. 898(E), on February 19, 2025, which was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, on February 20, 2025. This notification formally declares the acquisition of land for the Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal 3rd line doubling Railway project, spanning 150 kilometers, in District Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The issuance of this notification follows an earlier declaration of intent by the Central Government to acquire land for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of this Special Railway Project, as outlined in Notification S.O. 3511 (E) dated August 7, 2024. The substance of that initial notification was subsequently published in daily newspapers, including Amar Ujala and The Times of India, on August 28, 2024, in accordance with sub-section (4) of section 20A of the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008. All objections received regarding the project have been duly disposed of by the competent authority, and a report was submitted to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section 20E of the said Act. Upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the annexed schedule vested absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expeditious development of critical railway infrastructure, specifically the Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal 3rd line doubling project. This project aims to enhance railway capacity and operational efficiency along a significant corridor in Uttar Pradesh. The earlier legal position involved a preliminary notification of intent to acquire land, allowing for public input and objections. This current notification addresses the statutory gaps by finalizing the acquisition process after due consideration of all objections and the submission of a report by the Competent Authority (the designated official responsible for land acquisition proceedings). The legislation provided: “the land specified in the schedule annexed hereto shall vest absolutely in the Central government free from all encumbrances.” This vesting ensures that the Central Government obtains clear title to the land required for the project. Furthermore, the notification establishes an enforcement mechanism by informing all persons interested in the acquired land that they may submit their claims, either personally or through an agent or legal practitioner, to the Special Land Acquisition Officer (J.O.) / Prayagraj within 20 days from the date of the notification's publication. The acquired land, primarily private agricultural land, is located across four villages—Ghoredeeh, Mahuari ta. Lawayan, Kachari, and Kataka—within Karchana Tehsil of District Prayagraj.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, Railway Project, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Ministry of Railways, Infrastructure, Doubling Project, Notification, Central Government

Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh District: Prayagraj