Central Government Notifies Intent to Acquire Land for Motamarri-Vishnupuram Railway Doubling Project

The Ministry of Railways (South Central Railway) issued a Notification, S.O. 682(E), on February 10, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire land for a significant public purpose. This delegated legislation, published in the Official Gazette, exercises the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (Act 24 of 1989). The Central Government, having determined that the land is required for the execution of a Special Railway Project, specifically the construction of doubling between Motamarri and Vishnupuram, initiated the acquisition process. This project spans four villages within Bonakal Mandal of Khammam District in the state of Telangana. The notification outlines the procedure for land acquisition, affecting landowners and other interested parties in the specified areas. It came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on February 10, 2025.

The notification details the land parcels identified for acquisition, totaling 58.503 acres, which are crucial for enhancing passenger and freight facilities through the railway doubling project. The schedule annexed to the notification provides a brief description of the land, including survey numbers, extent of area in acres and hectares, type of land (government or private), and nature of land (wet or dry) across the villages of Bonakal, Allapahad, Govindapuram, and Motumari. A key provision within the notification establishes a mechanism for public engagement and redressal. The legislation provided: “Any person interested in the said land may, within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notification in the official gazette, raise objection to the acquisition and use of such land for the aforesaid purpose under sub- section (1) of section 20D of the said act”. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority, identified as the Special Deputy Collector (LA) IPT Railways, Khammam, clearly stating the grounds for the objection. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner. Following the hearing of objections and any necessary further inquiry, the Competent Authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections, and this order, made under sub-section (2) of Section 20D of the Railways Act, 1989, shall be final. Interested persons can inspect land plans and other relevant details at the office of the Competent Authority.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure, which is a critical component of national development. By invoking the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989, the government addresses the need for improved connectivity and capacity in the railway network, particularly for passenger and freight movement. The earlier statutory framework of the Railways Act, 1989, already provided the legal basis for such acquisitions, and this notification operationalizes those powers for a specific, identified public project. The policy rationale underscores the importance of efficient transportation systems for economic growth and public convenience. While not introducing new rights in the broader sense, the notification establishes a specific right for affected individuals to object to the proposed acquisition, ensuring a degree of due process. The enforcement mechanism is clearly defined through the role of the Competent Authority, with a statutory timeline of thirty days for raising objections, thereby providing a structured approach to land acquisition for public works.

Keywords: Railways Act 1989, land acquisition, railway doubling, Motamarri, Vishnupuram, Khammam, Telangana, Ministry of Railways, public purpose, land notification, infrastructure development

Geo Tags: India, Telangana
District: Khammam