Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for New Railway Line in Ahmedabad

The Ministry of Railways, Western Railway (Construction Organisation), issued a significant notification, G.S.R. 540(E), on August 8, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire land for a crucial infrastructure project in Gujarat. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, initiates the process for the acquisition of land required for the execution of the Special Railway Project, specifically the 4th line between Barejadi - Nandej (Geratpur) - Sanand, spanning 38.20 kilometers, within the Ahmedabad District. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (I) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), determined that the land, as briefly described in the annexed schedule, is necessary for this public purpose. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on August 8, 2025.

Under the provisions outlined in the notification, any individual with an interest in the identified land is granted a period of thirty days from the date of its publication to raise objections to the proposed acquisition and subsequent use of the land for the railway project. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority, designated as the Additional Special Land Acquisition Officer, Ahmedabad, 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 further necessary inquiry, the Competent Authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections. The notification specifies that any order made by the Competent Authority under sub-section (II) of section 20D of the Railways Act, 1989, shall be considered final. Detailed land plans and other relevant information pertaining to the land covered by this notification are available for inspection by interested parties at the office of the Competent Authority. The schedule appended to the notification provides a brief description of the land to be acquired, including survey numbers, type of land (private, agriculture), and the area in square meters, specifically identifying land in Sanand Taluka and Village.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion of critical railway infrastructure, which is deemed essential for public purpose and regional development. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such land acquisitions, ensuring that while land is acquired for public projects, the rights of affected landowners are also protected through a defined objection and hearing process. This particular notification addresses the need for enhanced railway connectivity and capacity in the region by enabling the construction of an additional railway line. The process outlined in the notification, including the 30-day window for objections and the provision for a hearing, aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the acquisition proceedings, allowing affected individuals to voice their concerns before a final decision is made. The legislation provided: “the Central Government after being satisfied that for the public purpose, the land, the brief description of which has given in the schedule annexed hereto, is required for execution of the Special Railway Project, namely, 4TH LINE BETWEEN BAREJADI - NANDEJ (GERATPUR) - SANAND (38.20 KM) IN THE DISTRICT OF AHMEDABAD in the State of Gujarat, hereby declares its intention to acquired such land”. This declaration underscores the government's commitment to infrastructure development while adhering to established legal procedures for land acquisition. The finality of the Competent Authority's order ensures a conclusive resolution to any objections raised, allowing the project to proceed efficiently once due process has been observed.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Special Railway Project, 4th line, Barejadi, Nandej, Sanand, Ministry of Railways
Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Ahmedabad