Ministry of Railways Notifies Land Acquisition for Goa Railway Doubling Project

The Ministry of Railways, through its South Western Railway (Construction Organization), issued Notification S.O. 887(E) on February 19, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire land for a significant public purpose. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, initiates the process for the execution of the Special Railway Project, specifically the Hospet-Hubli-Tinaighat-Vasco-da-Gama doubling line within the State of Goa. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20A of the Railway Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), expressed its satisfaction that the land, detailed in the annexed Schedule, is essential for this infrastructure development. The notification outlines a clear procedure for any person interested in the said land to raise objections to the proposed acquisition and its use for the railway project. Such objections must be submitted in writing within thirty days from the date of the notification's publication in the Official Gazette, addressed to the Competent Authority, identified as the Incharge Land Acquisition Officer/Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer, Mormugao, Vasco Goa. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide an opportunity for the objector to be 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 will be considered final. Land plans and other relevant details pertaining to the land covered by this notification are available for inspection at the aforementioned office of the Competent Authority. The land parcels identified for acquisition are located across various villages including Curchorem, Utorda, Cansaulim, Pale, and Issorcim, within the talukas of Quepem, Salcete, and Mormugao, all situated in the South Goa district, totaling an area of 0.8769 hectares.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion and modernization of India's railway network, a critical component of national infrastructure. The policy rationale underscores the public interest in enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency through projects like railway doubling, which typically aims to increase line capacity, reduce transit times, and improve overall service delivery for both passenger and freight traffic. The Railway Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such land acquisitions, ensuring that while land is acquired for public utility, due process is followed, including provisions for objections from affected parties. This specific notification operationalizes these powers for the Hospet-Hubli-Tinaighat-Vasco-da-Gama doubling project, addressing the need for additional railway lines in the region. The process ensures transparency by making land details available for inspection and providing a formal mechanism for grievances. 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 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 is a crucial step in the project's timeline, allowing for public engagement before final acquisition proceedings. The finality of the Competent Authority's order under the Act ensures a streamlined decision-making process once all objections have been duly considered.

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