Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Gujarat Railway Project

The Ministry of Railways, through Notification S.O. 862(E), issued on February 18, 2025, formally declared its intention to acquire land for the Taranga Hill - Abu Road via Ambaji New BG Line, a significant Special Railway Project spanning 116.65 kilometers. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, came into force on the date of its publication. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railway Act, 1989, determined that the land, detailed in the accompanying Schedule, is required for the public purpose of executing, maintaining, managing, and operating this new broad gauge railway line. The project specifically targets areas within the Mehsana district of Gujarat, under the jurisdiction of the Sub Division/Prant Officer Kheralu.

The notification outlines a clear procedure for individuals affected by the proposed acquisition. Any person with an interest in the identified land is granted a period of thirty days from the date of the notification's publication to raise objections to the acquisition and subsequent use of the land for the railway project. These objections must be submitted in writing to the designated competent authority, namely the Sub Division/Prant Officer Kheralu in District Mehsana, Gujarat, and must clearly state the grounds for objection. The competent authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner. Following the hearing of all 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 said Act, shall be final. The land plans and other pertinent details are available for inspection at the competent authority's office. The Schedule appended to the notification lists specific parcels of private agricultural land, including their survey numbers and area in square meters, across villages like Dabhoda, Shahupura, Timba, Vav, Bedasma, and Bhanavas within the Kheralu and Satlasana talukas of Mahesana district, totaling 3077 square meters (0.3077 hectares) for Road Under Bridge (RUB) construction.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely development of crucial railway infrastructure in Gujarat, aligning with the broader policy rationale of enhancing connectivity and transportation capabilities across the region. The Central Government's action is rooted in the existing statutory framework of the Railway Act, 1989, which empowers it to acquire land for public purposes related to railway projects. This exercise of power addresses the practical necessity of securing land for large-scale infrastructure development, a common challenge in such projects. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government, after being satisfied for the public purpose, the land, the brief description of which is given in the Schedule below, is required for execution. Maintenance, management and operation of Special Railway Project of Taranga Hill - Abu Road via Ambaji New BG Line (116.65 Km)... hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.” While not introducing new rights, the notification reinforces the existing statutory right of affected parties to object to land acquisition, ensuring a mechanism for due process. The enforcement mechanism is clearly defined through the role of the competent authority and the specified timeline for raising objections, ensuring that public interest is balanced with individual rights. This process ensures transparency and provides a formal channel for grievances before final acquisition.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railway Act 1989, Taranga Hill Abu Road, Gujarat, Mehsana, Ministry of Railways, infrastructure, public purpose, notification, land acquisition process

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Mehsana