Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Key Railway Doubling Project in Uttar Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways, through its North Central Railway (Construction Department), issued a Notification, S.O. 740(E), on February 5, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on February 12, 2025. This notification declared the Central Government's intention to acquire land for a significant public purpose under the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). The land is required for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of the Special Railway Project, specifically the Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur and Khairar-Bhimsen Railway Line Doubling Project, spanning 411 kilometers, located in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government after being satisfied that for the public purpose the land the brief description of which has been given in the schedule annexed hereto is required for the purpose of execution, maintenance, management and operation of Special Railway Project namely, Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur and Khairar-Bhimsen Railway Line Doubling Project (411 KM) in the district of Banda in the State of Uttar Pradesh, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land...”

The notification established a process for public engagement, allowing any person interested in the identified land to raise objections within a period of thirty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. These objections, to be made in writing to the designated Competent Authority, the Special Land Acquisition Officer-Banda, Uttar Pradesh, must clearly state the grounds for objection. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner, and may conduct further inquiry before issuing an order to either allow or disallow the objections. Any order issued by the Competent Authority under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the said Act is deemed final. Furthermore, detailed land plans and other relevant information concerning the land covered by this notification are made available for inspection by interested parties at the office of the Competent Authority. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on February 12, 2025.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the crucial expansion of India's railway infrastructure, a policy rationale aimed at enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for the acquisition of land for public purposes related to railway projects, addressing the inherent need for land to develop and upgrade the national rail network. This specific notification operationalizes the existing legal provisions for a specific, large-scale infrastructure project, addressing the requirement for land to double the Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur and Khairar-Bhimsen Railway Line. This project is vital for increasing rail capacity and improving transportation services in the region. The notification ensures a structured and legally compliant process for land acquisition, including mechanisms for addressing public concerns through the objection and hearing process. The finality of the Competent Authority's decision underscores the streamlined enforcement mechanism for such public utility projects, balancing public interest with due process for affected individuals. The project, spanning 411 kilometers, represents a significant investment in regional development, aiming to alleviate congestion and improve freight and passenger movement along this critical corridor in Uttar Pradesh.

Keywords: Railway Line Doubling, Land Acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Uttar Pradesh, Banda District, Ministry of Railways
Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh
District: Banda