Central Government Notifies Multiple Road Over Bridge Projects in Bihar as Special Railway Projects

The Central Government, through the Ministry of Railways, officially designated several infrastructure developments in Bihar as Special Railway Projects to expedite land acquisition and enhance regional connectivity. Issued by the Eastern Railway’s Road Safety Project wing, the notifications identified four specific sites within the Malda Division where Road Over Bridges (ROBs) will replace existing Level Crossing (LC) gates. These notifications, numbered S.O. 4810(E) to S.O. 4813(E), were published in the Gazette of India on October 22, 2025, having been signed by the Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) on October 16, 2025. The move targeted critical junctions across the Bhagalpur, Munger, and Lakhisarai districts, marking a significant step in the expansion of the state's railway infrastructure.

• The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (37A) of Section 2 of the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008 the Central Government hereby notifies Construction of ROB in lieu of LC Gate No.-5 at Km. 319/6-7 between Akbarnagar(AKN)-Sultanganj(SGG) stations on BGP-JMP Section of Malda Division. As a Special Railway Project for acquisition of land in Bhagalpur district in the State of Bihar, for providing national infrastructure for a public purpose with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the official Gazette.”

The specific projects included the construction of an ROB at LC Gate No. 5 between Akbarnagar and Sultanganj stations and another at LC Gate No. 10 between Hatpuraini Halt and Tikani stations, both situated in the Bhagalpur district. Additionally, the government notified the construction of an ROB at LC Gate No. 18T between Dashrathpur and Amari Adalpur in the Munger district, as well as a project at LC Gate No. 28 between Uren and Kajra stations in the Lakhisarai district. These projects fell under the jurisdiction of the Malda Division’s BGP-JMP and JMP-KIUL sections. By invoking the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008, the executive branch ensured that the land required for these works could be acquired under the specialized legal framework reserved for projects of national importance.

The legislative intent behind these notifications was rooted in the policy rationale of improving road safety and operational efficiency within the Indian Railways network. Prior to these notifications, the identified level crossings inter-sections where a railway line crosses a road at the same level presented significant bottlenecks for both rail and vehicular traffic. The statutory framework provided by the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008, specifically Section 2(37A), allowed the Central Government to bypass standard, more time-consuming land acquisition procedures by declaring these works as Special Railway Projects. This classification recognized the projects as essential for a public purpose, thereby addressing statutory gaps that might otherwise delay the development of national infrastructure. The enforcement of these notifications commenced immediately upon their publication in the Official Gazette, providing the legal basis for the Eastern Railway to proceed with the necessary land procurement and subsequent construction of the bridges.

Keywords: Ministry of Railways, Special Railway Project, Land Acquisition, Bihar, Road Over Bridge, Railways Amendment Act 2008, Gazette of India, Infrastructure Development, Road Safety Project

Geo Tags: India, Bihar
District: Bhagalpur, Munger, Lakhisarai