Central Government Finalizes Land Acquisition for Western Railway Road Over Bridge in Gujarat

The Ministry of Railways, through Notification S.O. 966(E) issued on February 24, 2025, formally declared the acquisition of land for the construction of a 2-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) in lieu of Level Crossing No. 271 at Km 445/10-12 between the Vadodara-Geratpur section of Vadodara Division on Western Railway. This significant step, published in the Official Gazette on the same day, brings into force the final stage of the land acquisition process under the Railway Act, 1989, for a crucial infrastructure project located in District Kheda, in the State of Gujarat.

The notification follows an earlier declaration of intention by the Central Government to acquire the specified land, which was initially published in the Gazette of India under notification No. 2649 dated July 6, 2024, pursuant to sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railway Act, 1989. The substance of this initial notification was subsequently disseminated to the public through local newspapers, including the Gujarati daily Divya Bhaskar, the Hindi newspaper Younger Leader, and The Times of India, all on July 18, 2024, as mandated by sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act. No objections were received by the competent authority following these public notices, paving the way for the current declaration.

Upon receiving the report from the competent authority, submitted in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 20E of the Railway Act, 1989, the Central Government exercised its powers to declare the land specified in the annexed schedule as acquired for the stated purpose. The land parcels, primarily private agricultural and non-agricultural plots in Uttarsanda village, Nadiad Taluka, Kheda District, are now subject to this acquisition, affecting numerous landowners whose details are meticulously listed in the schedule.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely execution, maintenance, management, and operation of vital railway infrastructure. The construction of a Road Over Bridge is a strategic move aimed at enhancing safety by eliminating a level crossing, which often poses risks to both road and rail traffic. This project is expected to improve the efficiency of train operations by removing potential delays caused by level crossing gates and to ensure smoother, uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic, thereby contributing to overall regional development and connectivity.

This declaration addresses the statutory requirement for the Central Government to formally acquire land for public purposes, particularly for railway projects, after due process. The Railway Act, 1989, provides a clear framework for such acquisitions, ensuring that public interest projects can proceed while also outlining the procedures for notifying affected parties and addressing any objections. By completing this acquisition, the government secures the necessary land, free from any prior claims or liabilities, for the construction of the ROB. 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 means that upon the notification's publication, full and unchallengeable ownership of the land transfers to the Central Government, unburdened by any mortgages, leases, or other legal claims, thereby providing a clear title for the project's commencement.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, Railway Act 1989, Road Over Bridge, Western Railway, Gujarat, Kheda District, Ministry of Railways, Infrastructure Project, Public Works, Land Vesting

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Kheda