Ministry of Railways Notifies Land Acquisition for Goa Railway Doubling Project

The Ministry of Railways, through its South Western Railway (Construction Organisation Bengaluru Cantonment), issued Notification S.O. 3963(E) on August 29, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire specific land parcels in Goa. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-Section (1) of Section 20A of the Railway Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). The primary reason for this issuance is the public purpose of executing the Special Railway Project, specifically the Hospet - Hubli - Tinaighat - Vasco-Da-Gama Doubling project within the State of Goa. The notification details the land required, which includes various plots across Cansaulim, Issorcim, and Sancoale villages in the South Goa district, totaling approximately 0.6007 hectares. Upon its publication, the notification initiated a thirty-day period during which any person with an interest in the specified land may raise objections to its acquisition and use for the stated railway purpose, as per sub-section (1) of Section 20D of the Railway Act.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate crucial infrastructure development necessary for expanding the railway network in Goa, thereby enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency. The Railway Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, and this notification operationalizes those provisions for a specific, identified public project. The earlier legal position under the Act grants the Ministry of Railways the authority to acquire land for railway purposes, and this notification addresses the practical requirement of identifying and initiating the acquisition process for particular land parcels. The notification outlines a clear enforcement mechanism, stipulating that objections must be made in writing to the designated 'Competent Authority' (the Incharge Land Acquisition Officer/Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer, Mormugoa, Vasco Goa). This 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. The order passed by the Competent Authority under sub-section (2) of Section 20D of the said Act is deemed final. The land plans and other relevant details pertaining to the land covered by this notification are available for inspection by interested persons at the office of the Competent Authority. The legislation provided: “the Ministry of Railways (South Western Railway, Construction Organization 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, namely, Hospet - Hubli - Tinaighat - Vasco-Da-Gama Doubling, in the State of Goa, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land”. This declaration underscores the government's commitment to advancing critical railway infrastructure projects, ensuring that the necessary land is secured through a legally defined and transparent process.

Keywords: Railway Act 1989, land acquisition, Goa railway project, Hospet Hubli Tinaighat Vasco-Da-Gama Doubling, Ministry of Railways, South Western Railway, infrastructure development, public purpose, land notification
Geo Tags: India, Goa
District: South Goa