Central Government Issues Notification to Acquire Land for Jarapada-Sambalpur City Special Railway Project

The Ministry of Railways, through the East Coast Railway (Construction) department, issued a formal notification under the Railways Act, 1989, to initiate the acquisition of land for a significant infrastructure expansion in Odisha. Published in the Gazette of India on November 4, 2025, the notification signals the government's intent to proceed with the construction of the 3rd and 4th railway lines connecting Jarapada to Sambalpur City. This project, covering a distance of 254.4 kilometers, has been officially designated as a Special Railway Project. The Central Government, exercising its statutory powers, declared that the identified land in the Sambalpur district is required for a public purpose to facilitate the execution of this rail corridor.

The legislation provided: “In exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24/89) (here in after referred as the said Act.), the Central Government, after being satisfied that for the public purpose, the Land, brief description of which is given in the schedule annexed here to, is required for the execution of the Special Railway Project, namely, 3rd 4th Line from Jarapada to Sambalpur City (254.4 Km) in the district of Sambalpur in the state of Odisha, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.”

The notification established a clear statutory timeline for affected parties to respond to the proposed acquisition. Any person with an interest in the specified land parcels was granted a period of thirty days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette to file objections. These objections must be submitted in writing to the competent authority, identified as the Special Land Acquisition Officer at the Collectorate in Sambalpur. The legal framework ensures procedural fairness by requiring the competent authority to provide objectors with an opportunity to be heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner (a person qualified to represent clients in legal proceedings). After conducting necessary inquiries and hearing the parties, the authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections. Under Section 20D(2) of the Act, any such order passed by the competent authority is final and binding.

The policy rationale behind this legislative action is the urgent necessity to augment rail capacity and improve connectivity within the East Coast Railway zone. By utilizing the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989, the government addresses the statutory requirement for land to support the expansion of the national transport network. The acquisition involves a total of 4.729 acres of land across various villages, including Keutibahal, Barabanka, Baunsajala, Lambakheta, Palasanali, Tileimala, Musakata, Budhipani, Badabahal, and Bhabanipali. The land types identified in the schedule range from private agricultural plots to specific categories such as Ata Sadharana and Berna Sadharana.

This notification serves to bridge the gap between existing infrastructure limitations and the increasing demand for rail services in the region. By formalizing the intent to acquire through a Gazette notification, the government adheres to the enforcement mechanisms prescribed by the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008, which introduced specific chapters for land acquisition for special projects. The detailed land plans and village-wise schedules remain available for inspection at the office of the Special Land Acquisition Officer in Sambalpur, ensuring transparency for the persons and institutions affected by the proceedings.

Keywords: Railways Act 1989, Land Acquisition, East Coast Railway, Sambalpur, Odisha, Special Railway Project, Ministry of Railways, Gazette Notification

Geo Tags: India, Odisha
District: Sambalpur