Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Indore-Dahod Railway Line Project

The Ministry of Railways, specifically its Western Railway (Construction Organization), issued Notification S.O. 624(E) on February 6, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Gazette of India. This notification serves as the Central Government's formal declaration of its intention to acquire land for a significant public purpose: the execution of a Special Railway Project for the Indore-Dahod new Broad Gauge (BG) railway line in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The land, totaling 17.3888 hectares, is located in Village Pasawada, Tehsil Sardarpur, District Dhar, and its brief description, including Khasra Numbers (unique land parcel identification numbers), is provided in an annexed schedule. This action was taken under the powers conferred by sub-section (i) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (Act 24 of 1989), which empowers the Central Government to acquire land for railway projects. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

The notification establishes a clear process for individuals affected by the proposed acquisition. Any person with an interest in the identified land parcels is granted a period of thirty days from the date of the notification's publication to raise objections to the acquisition and the subsequent use of such land for the railway project. These objections must be submitted in writing to the designated competent authority, identified as the Sub-Divisional Officer Land Acquisition Officer, Tehsil Dhar, District Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The competent authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity of being heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner. Following the hearing and any necessary further inquiry, the authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections. A crucial aspect of this process is that any order made by the competent authority under sub-section (II) of section 20D of the Railways Act, 1989, shall be final. Detailed land plans and other relevant information are available for inspection by interested persons at the office of the Competent Authority.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to advance critical railway infrastructure development, specifically the Indore-Dahod new Broad Gauge (BG) railway line, which is designed to enhance connectivity and facilitate economic activity across the region. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the foundational statutory framework for such land acquisitions, ensuring that while land is acquired for public projects, the rights of affected individuals are also protected through a structured objection mechanism. The notification addresses the practical necessity of acquiring specific land parcels to bridge existing infrastructure gaps and complete the railway corridor passing through Jhabua, Sardarpur, Dhar, and Pithampur. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government after being satisfied that for the public purpose, this land... is required for execution of Special Railway Project for Indore- Dahod new BG railway line in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh state. Declares its intention to acquire such land in the State of Madhya Pradesh, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land...” This provision underscores the government's commitment to public utility projects while adhering to legal procedures. The enforcement mechanism is clearly defined by the thirty-day window for objections and the subsequent adjudicatory role of the competent authority, ensuring a time-bound and transparent process for land acquisition under the existing legal framework.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Indore-Dahod railway, Madhya Pradesh, Dhar district, public purpose, infrastructure, notification, Western Railway
Geo Tags: India, Madhya Pradesh
District: Dhar