Ministry of Railways Designates Competent Authorities for Land Acquisition in Andhra Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways (South Central Railway) issued Notification S.O. 5581(E) on December 3, 2025, formally designating specific officers to act as Competent Authorities for land acquisition concerning several special railway projects. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, came into effect on the date of its publication. The Central Government exercised its powers conferred by clause (7A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989, to facilitate the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of these critical infrastructure developments. The notification specifically authorizes the Revenue Divisional Officer, Gudivada, to perform the functions of the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition for four distinct Road Over Bridge (ROB) projects located in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. These projects include the construction of ROBs in lieu of Level Crossing No. 332 at Km. 464/24-26 between Veeravalli and Nuzvid stations, Level Crossing No. 319A at Km. 446/18-20 between Mustabad and Gannavaram stations, Level Crossing No. 338 at Km. 472/18-20 between Nuzvid and Vatlur stations, and Level Crossing No. 323 at Km. 451/24-26 between Gannavaram and Peda avutapalli stations.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to streamline and expedite the land acquisition process essential for the timely completion of vital railway infrastructure projects. By designating a specific Competent Authority (an officer empowered to handle land acquisition proceedings), the Central Government aims to ensure efficient and legally compliant acquisition of land required for these special railway undertakings. The earlier legal position under the Railways Act, 1989, provided for the framework of land acquisition, and this notification addresses the practical necessity of appointing specific authorities to implement these provisions for identified projects. This measure is crucial for overcoming potential delays in project execution by clearly assigning responsibility for land acquisition, which is often a complex and time-consuming phase of infrastructure development. The authorization ensures that the necessary legal procedures for acquiring land are followed under the supervision of a designated official, thereby facilitating the construction of Road Over Bridges that enhance safety and operational efficiency by eliminating level crossings. The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (7A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989 the Central Government hereby authorizes the officer mentioned in the column (5) of the Table below to perform the functions of the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition in respect of the Special Railway Projects as mentioned in column (2) of the Table for execution, maintenance, management and operation in the state mentioned in column (3) of the said table with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.” This action underscores the government's commitment to modernizing railway networks and improving connectivity, particularly in regions like Andhra Pradesh, by addressing the foundational requirement of land availability through a clear and enforceable mechanism.

Keywords: Railways Act, land acquisition, Ministry of Railways, South Central Railway, Road Over Bridge, Andhra Pradesh, Krishna district, Competent Authority, infrastructure development, railway projects

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh
District: Krishna