Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal Railway Doubling Project

The Ministry of Railways, North Central Railway (Construction Department), issued Notification S.O. 1941(E) on April 29, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Gazette of India on April 30, 2025. This official communication declared the Central Government's intention to acquire specific land parcels for a significant public purpose: the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of the Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal 3rd line doubling Railway project, a 150-kilometer initiative situated within the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. This action was undertaken in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989, which provides the legal framework for such infrastructure development. The notification, detailing the land to be acquired, came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

The notification established a clear procedure for individuals affected by the proposed land acquisition. Any person with an interest in the identified land was granted a period of thirty days from the date of the notification's publication in the Official Gazette to raise objections to the acquisition and the intended use of such land for the aforementioned railway project. These objections were required to be submitted in writing to the designated Competent Authority, identified as the Special Land Acquisition Officer (Irrigation) / Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. The Competent Authority was mandated to provide the objector an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner. Following such hearings and any necessary further inquiry, the Competent Authority would issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections. The notification explicitly stated that any order made by the Competent Authority under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the Railways Act, 1989, would be considered final, ensuring a conclusive resolution to the objection process. Furthermore, land plans and other detailed information concerning the land covered by this notification were made available for inspection by interested persons at the office of the Competent Authority. The schedule appended to the notification provided a brief description of the land parcels, including survey plot numbers and acquired areas in hectares, across various villages under Tehsil Sadar in Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh, with a grand total of approximately 6.6065 hectares.

The legislative intent behind this notification was to facilitate crucial railway infrastructure development, aligning with the broader policy rationale of enhancing connectivity and capacity within the national railway network. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, ensuring that land required for public utility projects can be secured through a defined legal process that also incorporates provisions for addressing public concerns. The notification specifically addressed the need for land for the "Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal 3rd line doubling Railway project," a project designed to augment the existing railway lines and improve operational efficiency and passenger and freight movement. 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, Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal 3rd line doubling Railway project (150 km) in the district of Mirzapur in the State of Uttar Pradesh, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land…” This declaration underscores the government's commitment to expanding railway infrastructure to meet growing transportation demands. The process outlined in the notification, including the opportunity for objections and a hearing, serves as a mechanism to ensure transparency and fairness in land acquisition proceedings, balancing public interest with individual rights and providing a structured approach for project implementation.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Prayagraj-Pt. Deendayal Railway, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, railway project, infrastructure, notification, land acquisition officer, public purpose
Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh
District: Mirzapur