Central Government Notifies Dornakal Junction Rail Over Rail Flyover as Special Railway Project

The Ministry of Railways (South Central Railway) issued Notification S.O. 5537(E) on November 27, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on December 1, 2025. This notification, an exercise of powers granted under clause (37A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989, formally designates the Rail Over Rail (ROR) Flyover at Dornakal Junction, spanning 10.5 kilometers, as a Special Railway Project. The primary reason for this issuance is to facilitate the acquisition of land necessary for the project. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette. This designation specifically impacts land acquisition processes in the State of Telangana, covering the districts of Khammam and Mahabubabad, where the project is situated. 

The legislative intent behind this notification is to enable the provision of national infrastructure for a public purpose. By classifying the Dornakal Junction ROR Flyover as a Special Railway Project, the Central Government aims to streamline the land acquisition process under the specific provisions of the Railways Act, 1989. This action addresses the need for efficient and legally sound mechanisms to acquire land for critical railway infrastructure development. The earlier statutory framework of the Railways Act, 1989, particularly Section 2(37A), provides the legal basis for such designations, allowing the Central Government to identify projects that require expedited land acquisition for public benefit.  

The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (37A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989 the Central Government hereby notifies Rail Over Rail (ROR) Flyover at Dornakal Junction (10.5 Km) as a Special Railway Project for acquisition of land in the State of Telangana in the Districts of Khammam and Mahabubabad for providing National Infrastructure for a public purpose with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.” This designation introduces specific obligations related to land acquisition for the identified project, ensuring that the necessary land can be secured to build the ROR Flyover, which is a structure allowing one railway line to pass over another, thereby improving railway traffic flow and safety. The notification serves as the enforcement mechanism for this special project status, ensuring that the land acquisition proceeds under the relevant legal framework for national infrastructure development. 

Keywords: Railways Act 1989, Special Railway Project, Land Acquisition, Dornakal Junction, ROR Flyover, Telangana, Khammam, Mahabubabad, National Infrastructure, Ministry of Railways
Geo Tags: India, Telangana
District: Khammam, Mahabubabad