Central Government Initiates Land Acquisition for Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli New Railway Line Project

The Ministry of Railways (Central Railway) issued a Notification, S.O. 3651(E), on August 6, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on Friday, August 8, 2025. This notification formally declared the Central Government's intention to acquire land for the Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli vaijnath (261 Km) New Line Special Railway Project in Maharashtra. The action was taken in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20(A) of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), as amended by the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008. The Central Government, having been satisfied that the land is required for a public purpose, specifically for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of this critical railway infrastructure project, identified parcels within the District of Beed in the State of Maharashtra. The notification specifies that any person interested in the identified land may raise objections to its acquisition and use within a period of thirty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority, identified as the Deputy Collector Ja. Pra. Beed, District Beed, Maharashtra, detailing the grounds for objection. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner, and may, after due inquiry, allow or disallow the objections by order. Any order issued by the Competent Authority under Sub-Section (2) of Section 20 D of the said Act is deemed final. Furthermore, the land plans and other pertinent details concerning the land covered by this notification are available for inspection by interested persons at the office of the Competent Authority. The schedule annexed to the notification provides a brief description of the land to be acquired, including specific survey numbers, landholder names, and acquisition areas in hectares, primarily in Ghatsavali village of Beed Taluka.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely and efficient development of essential railway infrastructure, aligning with the broader policy rationale of enhancing connectivity and transportation networks across the region. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, ensuring that projects deemed vital for public purpose can proceed while also establishing a clear process for addressing concerns of affected landholders. The notification addresses the practical necessity of securing land for the Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli vaijnath New Line, a significant 261-kilometer railway project. By issuing this declaration of intent, the government initiates the formal process of land acquisition, which is a prerequisite for the physical execution of the railway line. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government, after being satisfied that for the public purpose, the land, the brief description of which has been given in schedule annexed hereto, is required for purpose of execution, maintenance, management and operation of Special Railway Project, namely with Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli vaijnath (261 Km)-New Line Maharashtra.in the District of Beed in the State of Maharashtra, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.” This process creates specific obligations for landholders whose properties are identified for acquisition, requiring them to engage with the Competent Authority if they wish to contest the acquisition. Simultaneously, it grants them the right to a fair hearing, ensuring that their objections are considered before a final decision is made. The stipulated 30-day timeline for raising objections and the finality of the Competent Authority's decision are key enforcement mechanisms designed to ensure both due process and project progression.

Keywords: Railway land acquisition, Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli New Line, Ministry of Railways, Railways Act 1989, Maharashtra, Beed District, Special Railway Project, land acquisition notification, public purpose
Geo Tags: India, Maharashtra
District: Beed