Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Odisha Double Line Railway Project

The Ministry of Railways (South Eastern Railway/Construction Organization) issued Notification S.O. 1698(E) on April 11, 2025, declaring the acquisition of land for a Special Railway Project in the districts of Jharsuguda and Sundargarh in the state of Odisha. This notification followed an earlier declaration of intent, S.O.5322(E), dated December 11, 2023, which was published in the Gazette of India under sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989. The project, titled 'Double line Fly over including JSG yard modification (26Km.)' and 'Barpali Loading Bulb', aims to enhance railway infrastructure. The substance of the initial notification was also disseminated through daily newspapers, including English and regional language editions, on March 6, 2024, as mandated by sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act. No objections were received by the competent authority against the initial notification. Consequently, after the competent authority submitted its report to the Central Government, the land specified in the annexed schedule was formally declared acquired. The notification explicitly states that upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the acquired land shall vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances, meaning the government gains full, unburdened ownership. Furthermore, a specific private plot (no. 5621/10935 of Khata no. 747/5243, measuring 0.060 acre in Mouza: Jharsuguda Town Unit no.2, Balijori, Jharsuguda district) that was inadvertently declared vested under Section 20E of the Railways Act, 1989, by an earlier Gazette Notification No. 1631, S.O.1710(E), dated April 12, 2023, has been formally withdrawn from acquisition.

This legislative action by the Central Government is intended to facilitate the expeditious execution, maintenance, management, and operation of critical railway infrastructure projects. The Railways Act, 1989, provides a statutory framework for such acquisitions, ensuring that land required for public utility projects can be secured efficiently. The process outlined in sections 20A and 20E of the Act, which includes public notification of intent, newspaper publication, and a period for receiving objections, aims to ensure transparency and address potential concerns from affected parties. In this instance, the absence of objections against the initial notification underscored the smooth progression of the acquisition process. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government hereby declares that the land specified in the schedule annexed hereto shall be acquired for the aforesaid purpose; And further, in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 20E of the said Act, the Central Government hereby declares that on the publication of this notification in the official Gazette, the land specified in the Schedule annexed hereto shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances.” This declaration is crucial for transferring ownership to the Central Government, enabling the development of the 'Double Line Flyover Jharsuguda including Yard Modification (26 Km.)' and 'Barpali Loading Bulb' projects without legal impediments. The withdrawal of the inadvertently vested land parcel demonstrates a mechanism for correcting administrative errors within the statutory framework, ensuring that only the necessary land is acquired and that due process is followed. This measure ensures that the railway expansion, vital for regional connectivity and economic development, can proceed on a clear legal footing.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Ministry of Railways, Odisha, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Double Line Flyover, Special Railway Project, land vesting, notification
Geo Tags: India, Odisha
District: Jharsuguda, Sundargarh