Land Acquisition Notification Issued for Railway Over Bridge and Subway Project in Karnataka

The Ministry of Railways, South Western Railway (Construction Organisation), issued a Notification, S.O. 5748(E), on December 11, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire specific land in Karnataka for a public purpose. This delegated legislation was issued in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20A of the Railway Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). The Central Government, through its railway construction arm, determined that the land, detailed in an annexed schedule, is essential for the execution of a special railway project involving the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) and a Limited Height Subway (LHS) in lieu of Level Crossing (LC) No-44 between Tumkur-Mallasandra, at Chainage 75/300-400. This project is situated in the state of Karnataka, specifically in Tumakuru District, Tumakuru Taluk, Urdiigere Hobli, and Heggere Village. The notification specifies that any person with an interest in the identified land may, within thirty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, raise objections to the proposed acquisition and its use for the stated purpose. Such objections must be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority and Special Land Acquisition Officer, Tumakuru-Rayadurga and Tumakuru-Davanagere Railway project, Tumakuru, outlining the grounds for objection. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner, and may, after due inquiry, either allow or disallow the objections. The notification explicitly states that any order issued by the competent authority under sub-section (2) of Section 20D of the said Act shall be final. Furthermore, land plans and other pertinent details regarding the land covered by this notification are available for inspection by interested parties at the office of the Competent Authority and Special Land Acquisition Officer. The legislation provided: “In exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20 A of the Railway Act 1989 (24 of 1989) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government (Ministry of Railways, South Western Railway, Construction Organisation, Bengaluru Cantonment) 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 execution of the Special railway project, Construction of ROB and LHS in Lieu of LC No-44 Between Tumkur-Mallasandra Chainage:75/300-400, in the state of KARNATAKA, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land”. This notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on December 11, 2025.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate crucial infrastructure development for the Indian Railways, specifically aimed at enhancing safety and operational efficiency along the railway network in Karnataka. The policy rationale underscores the necessity of replacing existing level crossings with grade-separated structures like Road Over Bridges (ROB) and Limited Height Subways (LHS) to mitigate accidents, reduce traffic congestion, and ensure smoother movement of both rail and road traffic. An ROB allows road traffic to pass over railway lines, while an LHS provides an underpass for smaller vehicles or pedestrians, both serving to eliminate direct intersections with railway tracks. This measure addresses the inherent safety risks and operational bottlenecks associated with level crossings, which represent a significant interface between railway operations and public road use. By invoking the provisions of the Railway Act, 1989, the Central Government utilizes an established statutory framework for land acquisition, ensuring a structured and legally compliant process for public works. The Act provides a mechanism for balancing public interest in infrastructure development with the rights of affected landowners, allowing for objections and a hearing process before final acquisition. This approach ensures that while the project proceeds to fulfill its public purpose, due process is afforded to those whose land is identified for acquisition. The finality of the Competent Authority's order on objections streamlines the acquisition process, preventing undue delays in projects deemed vital for national infrastructure.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railway Act 1989, Ministry of Railways, Road Over Bridge, Limited Height Subway, Tumakuru, Karnataka, infrastructure project, public purpose, land acquisition notification
Geo Tags: India, Karnataka
District: Tumakuru