Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Chhattisgarh Railway Projects

The Ministry of Railways (South East Central Railway) issued a Notification, S.O. 900(E), on February 20, 2025, formally declaring the acquisition of land in Dhamtari District, Chhattisgarh, for a crucial railway infrastructure project. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), finalizes the land acquisition process under Section 20E of the Railways Act, 1989 (Act 24 of 1989). The action follows an initial declaration of intent by the Central Government, published as S.O. 5265 (E) on December 6, 2024, under sub-section (1) of section 20A of the said Act. The land is designated for the "Gauge Conversion of Kendri-Dhamtari and Abhanpur-Rajim branch line (67.20 Km)-2nd Material Modification to Raipur-Titlagarh Doubling on SEC Railway." The substance of the initial notification was subsequently published in local newspapers, including Patrika (Raipur Edition), Nai Duniya (Raipur Edition), Prakhar Samachar (Dhamtari Edition), and Hitavada (Raipur Edition), on December 15, 2024, as required by sub-section (4) of section 20A. No objections were received by the Competent Authority following this public notice. Consequently, the Competent Authority submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 20E of the Act. Upon publication in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the annexed Schedule vested absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances (legal claims or liabilities on property).

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely execution and operation of vital railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and capacity in the region. The Railways Act, 1989, provides a comprehensive statutory framework for the acquisition of land necessary for railway purposes, ensuring that such projects can proceed efficiently in the public interest. This particular notification addresses the critical step of vesting the land in the Central Government, thereby removing any potential legal hurdles for the construction and development phases. The project involves the gauge conversion of the Kendri-Dhamtari and Abhanpur-Rajim branch lines and a second material modification to the Raipur-Titlagarh Doubling project, all within the South East Central Railway network. The land, totaling 0.5739 hectares, is located in Charmudiya village, Kurud Tehsil, Dhamtari District, and includes various private plots. The legislation provided: “And further, in the pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 20E of the said Act, the Central Govt. hereby declares that on publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the Schedule annexed hereto shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances.” This vesting ensures that the land is legally clear for the Ministry of Railways to proceed with the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of these special railway projects, which are crucial for regional development and transportation efficiency.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act 1989, South East Central Railway, Gauge Conversion, Raipur-Titlagarh Doubling, Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, railway project, land vesting, infrastructure
Geo Tags: India, Chhattisgarh
District: Dhamtari