Central Government Notifies Intention to Acquire Land for Vijapur-Ambaliyasan Gauge Conversion Project in Gujarat

The Ministry of Railways, through the Western Railway’s Construction Organization, issued a statutory notification on October 10, 2025, declaring the Central Government’s intention to acquire land in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. This notification, identified as G.S.R. 747(E), was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by the Railways Act, 1989. The acquisition is necessitated by a public purpose, specifically the execution of a Special Railway Project known as the Vijapur-Ambaliyasan Gauge Conversion Project. The measure came into force immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette of India.

The notification identified specific parcels of land within the Vijapur Taluka, affecting the villages of Gavada and Kukarwada. According to the schedule annexed to the instrument, the acquisition involves four distinct survey numbers of private agricultural land, totaling 374 square meters. The Central Government stated its satisfaction that these specific areas are essential for the infrastructure requirements of the gauge conversion initiative. The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section(I) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989) (hereinafter referred in as the said act), the Central Government after being satisfied that for the public purpose. The land. the brief description of which has given in the schedule annexed hereto, is required for execution of the special Railway Project, namely, Vijapur-Ambaliyasan Gauge Conversion Project in District Mahesana in the state of Gujarat, hereby declares its intention to acquired such land.”

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the modernization of the regional railway network by upgrading existing tracks to meet broad-gauge standards. This policy rationale is grounded in the need to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the rail system in Gujarat. Under the statutory framework of the Railways Act, 1989, the government is empowered to designate certain works as Special Railway Projects to expedite their execution. This notification serves as the formal preliminary step in the land acquisition process, providing a legal basis for the state to transition private land for public utility.

To address potential statutory gaps and protect the rights of landholders, the notification outlines a specific enforcement mechanism for raising objections. Any person interested in the identified land parcels is permitted, within thirty days of the notification's publication, to raise objections regarding the acquisition or the intended use of the land. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the competent authority, designated as the Prant Officer (a sub-divisional administrative official) of Visnagar, District Mehsana.

The statutory procedure mandates that the competent authority provide the objector with an opportunity to be heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner. After conducting necessary inquiries and hearing the objections, the authority is empowered to issue an order either allowing or disallowing the challenge. The notification specifies that any order made by the competent authority under Section 20D(2) of the Act shall be final. Furthermore, the government has ensured that land plans and detailed technical specifications are available for public inspection at the office of the competent authority to maintain transparency throughout the acquisition proceedings.

Keywords: Railways Act 1989, Land Acquisition, Gujarat Railway Project, Ministry of Railways, Gauge Conversion, Mehsana Land Acquisition, Special Railway Project, Gazette Notification

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Mehsana