Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Pune-Miraj Railway Doubling Project in Satara

The Ministry of Railways (Central Railway) issued a Notification, S.O. 637(E), on January 29, 2025, formally declaring the acquisition of specific land parcels for the PUNE-MIRAJ DOUBLING Railway line project. This instrument, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, section 3, Sub-section (ii), on February 7, 2025, finalizes the process initiated by an earlier notification. The Central Government had previously declared its intention to acquire land for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of this Special Railway Project in the Satara district of Maharashtra, as outlined in S.O. 1028 (E) dated March 8, 2022. That initial notification was issued under sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railway Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). The substance of the intention to acquire was subsequently published in daily newspapers, namely Dainik Pudari and Tarun Bharat, on January 1, 2025, in compliance with sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act. Following this, no objections were received from the affected village in Koregaon Taluka. The Competent Authority, responsible for land acquisition, submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section 20E of the Railway Act, 1989. Upon the publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, the specified land parcels, detailed in the annexed schedule, vested absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances. The schedule identifies approximately 0.7566 hectares of land across four survey numbers in Palsi village, Koregaon Taluka, listing landholders such as Halima Sattar Shaikh and Usman Kader Inamdar, among others.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely completion and operationalization of critical railway infrastructure projects, specifically the Pune-Miraj Doubling Railway line. This action is rooted in the policy rationale of enhancing railway connectivity and capacity, which is essential for economic development and public transportation. The earlier legal position was established by the Railway Act, 1989, which provides the statutory framework for land acquisition for railway purposes. This notification addresses the practical necessity of acquiring private land to implement the project, following due process as laid down in the Act. The process ensures that after the declaration of intent, public notice, and consideration of objections, the land can be legally acquired and vested. The legislation provided: “Now therefore, upon receipt of the report of the Competent Authority and in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20 E of the said Act, the Central Government hereby declares that the lands specified in the schedule annexed hereto shall be acquired for the aforesaid purpose; And further , in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 20 E of the said Act, the Central Government hereby declares that on 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 provision underscores the finality of the acquisition process and the immediate transfer of ownership to the Central Government upon publication. The enforcement mechanism is clearly defined, with the Competent Authority playing a crucial role in assessing the land and submitting reports, leading to the ultimate declaration by the Central Government. This process ensures that the land required for the railway line is secured, allowing for the progression of the doubling project without further delay.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, Railway Act 1989, Pune-Miraj Doubling, Central Government, Notification, Infrastructure Project, Satara
Geo Tags: India, Maharashtra
District: Satara