Central Government Notifies Intent to Acquire Land for Luni-Samdari-Bhildi Railway Doubling Project in Rajasthan

The Ministry of Railways, through its North Western Railway (Construction Organization), issued a significant notification, S.O. 1820(E), on April 22, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire land for a crucial railway infrastructure project. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, initiates the process for the acquisition of land required for the Luni-Samdari-Bhildi Doubling Railway Special Project within the Luni Sub Division of Jodhpur District in Rajasthan. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railway Act, 2008 (11 of 2008), determined that the land was necessary for public purpose, specifically for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of this special railway project. The notification detailed various parcels of private land, identified by Khasra numbers, across villages such as Luni, Satlana, Dudia, Dundara, and Sant Deva Ram Nagar, specifying their acquisition areas in square meters and hectares. Interested persons were granted a period of thirty days from the notification's publication date to raise objections to the proposed acquisition and use of the land. Such objections were mandated to be submitted in writing to the competent authority, identified as the Sub Divisional Officer, Luni, District Jodhpur, Rajasthan, clearly stating the grounds for objection. The competent authority is required to provide the objector an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner, and may, after due inquiry, either allow or disallow the objections. Any order subsequently made by the competent authority under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the said Act was stipulated to be final. The land plans and other pertinent details concerning the land covered by this notification are available for inspection by interested parties at the office of the competent authority.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion and modernization of India's railway network, specifically addressing the need for enhanced capacity on the Luni-Samdari-Bhildi route. The policy rationale underscores the government's commitment to improving railway connectivity and operational efficiency through infrastructure development. The Railway Act, 2008, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, ensuring a structured and legally compliant process. This particular notification implements the provisions of the Act for a specific project, thereby addressing the practical requirement for land to lay additional tracks. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government, after being satisfied for the public purpose, the land, the brief description of which is given in the Schedule below, is required for execution. Maintenance, management and operation of Special Railway Project of Luni-Samdari-Bhildi Doubling Railway Special Project for Sub Division Luni of District Jodhpur in the state of Rajasthan, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.” This declaration initiates a formal process that balances public interest in infrastructure development with the rights of private landowners. The provisions for raising objections and being heard by a competent authority (an official empowered to make decisions) are crucial mechanisms designed to ensure transparency and fairness in the land acquisition process. The finality of the competent authority's order, as stipulated, aims to provide a definitive resolution to any disputes arising from the acquisition. This process ensures that while the government can proceed with vital public projects, affected individuals have a clear avenue to voice their concerns and receive due consideration.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, Railway Project, Rajasthan, Jodhpur, Luni-Samdari-Bhildi, Railway Act 2008, Notification, Infrastructure Development, Public Purpose, North Western Railway

Geo Tags: India, Rajasthan District: Jodhpur