Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Daund-Manmad Railway Doubling Project in Maharashtra

The Ministry of Railways (Central Railway) issued a Notification on July 31, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on August 1, 2025, declaring the acquisition of land for the Daund-Manmad doubling project in Nashik District, Maharashtra. This delegated legislation, identified as S.O. 3556(E), was enacted in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), and under clause 20E of the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008. The Central Government, after being satisfied that the land was required for a public purpose, specifically for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of the Special Railway Project, declared its intention to acquire the specified parcels. The notification detailed the process, including the prior publication of the substance of the notification in daily newspapers, Maharashtra Times and Deshdoot, on July 3, 2025, as required by sub-section (4) of Section 20A of the said Act. For Rapli Waghdardi village, no objections were received, and the competent authority considered this, subsequently passing orders. Following the submission of a report by the competent authority in pursuance of sub-section 20(E) of the Railways Act, the Central Government formally declared the acquisition of the lands detailed in the annexed schedule. The notification further stipulated that upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the specified land would vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances. The schedule provided a brief description of the land to be acquired, including survey numbers, land tenure systems, total area, and specific assets such as houses, wells, and tin sheds, affecting various landholders in villages like Rapli and Wagdardi within the Chandwad sub-division.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion of critical railway infrastructure, addressing the policy rationale of enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency through the Daund-Manmad doubling project, which spans 247.50 kilometers. The earlier legal position, governed by the Railways Act, 1989, provided the framework for such acquisitions, with the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008, introducing specific provisions like clause 20E to streamline the process. This notification addresses the need for land to execute a significant public infrastructure project, thereby filling the statutory gap for specific land parcels required for this purpose. It establishes new obligations for the affected landholders by mandating the acquisition of their property for public use, while ensuring a structured process for notification and objection handling. The enforcement mechanism is clearly laid out, culminating in the absolute vesting of the land in the Central Government upon publication of the notification. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government hereby declares that on publication of this 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 provision underscores the finality and legal consequence of the acquisition process, ensuring that the land is secured for the railway project without future claims or encumbrances. The notification, therefore, represents a crucial step in the implementation of the Daund-Manmad railway doubling project, enabling the physical development of the railway line.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Railway Amendment Act 2008, Daund-Manmad Doubling Project, Ministry of Railways, Public Purpose, Infrastructure Development, Maharashtra
Geo Tags: India, Maharashtra
District: Nashik