Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Railway Project in Madhya Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways, through Notification S.O. 1847(E), issued on April 22, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette on April 24, 2025, declared its intention to acquire specific land parcels for a critical railway infrastructure project. This notification, which came into force upon its publication, was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of clause 20A of section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), as amended by the Railways Amendment Act, 2008 (11 of 2008). The Central Government, having been satisfied that the land was required for a public purpose, initiated the process for the execution of a special Railway Project aimed at enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

The key provision of the notification outlined the specific project and the affected area. 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 of special Railway Project namely, Elimination of manned level crossings. 414 by providing RUB in Manikpur-Naini Railway Station, District Rewa Vill- Kudi,, Tahsil- Teonthar in the state of Madhya Pradesh, here by declares its intention to acquire such land...” This project involves the elimination of manned level crossing number 414 by constructing a Road Under Bridge (RUB) in the Manikpur-Naini Railway Station section, specifically impacting land in Village Kudi, Tehsil Teonthar, District Rewa, within the state of Madhya Pradesh. The notification further stipulated that any person interested in the said land may raise objections to its acquisition and use within a period of thirty days from the date of the notification's publication in the Official Gazette. Such objections must be made in writing to the competent authority, identified as the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue)/Tahsil Teonthar, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), and 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, after due inquiry, 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. Details regarding the land plans and other relevant information are available for inspection by interested persons at the office of the Competent Authority. The schedule appended to the notification precisely identified two plots, Plot No. 49 and Plot No. 27/2/1, in Village Kudi, Tehsil Teonthar, District Rewa, with acquired areas of 0.121 and 0.144 hectares respectively.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely and efficient acquisition of land necessary for critical railway infrastructure projects, particularly those aimed at improving safety. The policy rationale underscores the public purpose served by eliminating manned level crossings, which are often points of congestion and safety hazards, by replacing them with Road Under Bridges. This measure is a direct application of the statutory framework established by the Railways Act, 1989, and its 2008 amendment, which empowers the Central Government to acquire land for such projects. The notification addresses the practical necessity of securing land for specific developmental works, ensuring that the process is transparent and provides an opportunity for affected parties to voice their concerns through a defined objection mechanism. It leverages existing legal provisions to enable the execution of projects that contribute to the modernization and safety of the Indian railway network.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Railways Amendment Act 2008, Ministry of Railways, level crossing elimination, Road Under Bridge, Madhya Pradesh, Rewa, Teonthar, Kudi, public purpose
Geo Tags: India, Madhya Pradesh
District: Rewa