Central Government Notifies Intent to Acquire Land for Wardha-Nanded Railway Project in Maharashtra

The Ministry of Railways (Central Railway) issued a Notification, S.O. 3748(E), on August 11, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on August 14, 2025. This notification formally declares the Central Government's intention to acquire specific land parcels for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of the Special Railway Project, known as the Wardha-Nanded (via Yavatmal-Pusad) project. The identified land is situated in the districts of Yavatmal and Nanded in the State of Maharashtra. The issuance of this notification initiates the statutory process for land acquisition under the relevant provisions of the Railways Act, 1989, as amended by the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008.

The notification specifies that any individual with an interest in the designated land has a period of thirty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette to raise objections to the proposed acquisition and use of the land for the railway project. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the designated Competent Authority, identified as the Sub Divisional Officer/Land Acquisition Officers, Hadgaon, Maharashtra. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector with an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner, and may, after due inquiry and hearing, either allow or disallow the objections. The decision rendered by the Competent Authority under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the Railways Act, 1989, is stipulated as final. Furthermore, 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 schedule annexed to the notification provides a brief description of the land to be acquired, including details such as survey numbers, total area, and editing area in hectares, across villages like Warwat, Shibdara, and Bamani in Hadgaon Taluka, Nanded District, amounting to a grand total of 21.09 hectares.

The legislative intent behind this notification is rooted in the policy rationale of facilitating critical infrastructure development for public purpose. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989, as amended, deemed the land necessary for the Special Railway Project. 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 Wardha-Nanded (via Yavatmal-Pusad) project in the district of Yavatmal in the district of Nanded in the State of Maharashtra, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.” This declaration underscores the government's commitment to expanding and modernizing the railway network, which is vital for regional connectivity and economic growth. The existing statutory framework, specifically the Railways Act, 1989, provides the legal mechanism for such acquisitions, ensuring a structured process that includes provisions for public participation through objections. This mechanism addresses the necessity of balancing public interest in infrastructure projects with the rights of affected landowners, by allowing them to present their grievances before a designated authority. The notification, therefore, serves as a crucial step in the implementation of the Wardha-Nanded railway line, aiming to bridge existing connectivity gaps and enhance transportation efficiency in the region.

Keywords: Railway land acquisition, Wardha-Nanded project, Maharashtra, Nanded, Yavatmal, Railways Act 1989, land acquisition notification, Central Railway, infrastructure development

Geo Tags: India, Maharashtra
District: Nanded