Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Indore-Dahod Railway Project in Madhya Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways, Western Railway (Construction Organization), issued a Notification, S.O. 623(E), on February 6, 2025, which was published in the Gazette of India. This delegated legislation, exercised under the powers conferred by sub-section (i) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), declared the Central Government's intention to acquire land for a public purpose. The land, totaling 10.2242 hectares and located in Village Jolana, Tehsil Sardarpur, District Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, is required for the execution of the Special Railway Project for the Indore-Dahod new Broad Gauge (BG) railway line. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette. The affected land parcels, detailed by Khasra numbers in an annexed schedule, are crucial for the construction of this new railway line connecting Dahod to Indore, passing through Jhabua, Sardarpur, Dhar, and Pithampur. The notification specifies that any person interested in the said land may raise objections to the acquisition within thirty days from the date of its publication. These objections must be submitted in writing to the competent authority, identified as the Sub-Divisional Officer Land Acquisition Officer, Tehsil Dhar, District Dhar (M.P.), stating the grounds for objection. The competent authority is mandated to provide the objector an an opportunity of being heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner, and may, after due inquiry, either allow or disallow the objections. Any order issued by the competent authority under sub-section (II) of section 20D of the Railways Act, 1989, shall be final. Land plans and other relevant details are available for inspection at the office of the Competent Authority.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely and efficient acquisition of land necessary for critical public infrastructure development, specifically the Indore-Dahod new Broad Gauge railway line. This project aims to enhance connectivity and economic activity in the region. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, ensuring that while land is procured for public utility, the rights of affected individuals are also protected through a defined objection and hearing process. The notification addresses the practical necessity of securing land for large-scale railway projects, which often involve multiple land parcels across various villages and districts. By declaring the intention to acquire and outlining the objection mechanism, the government ensures transparency and adherence to due process. The provision for a hearing before a competent authority (an official empowered to make decisions in a specific legal context) allows landowners to present their grievances or concerns, thereby balancing public interest with individual rights. The finality of the competent authority's order streamlines the acquisition process, preventing undue delays in projects deemed essential for national development. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government after being satisfied that for the public purpose, this land of Village- Jolana Tehsil-Sardarpur District- Dhar, the brief description of which has given in the schedule annexed here to, 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...”

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