Ministry of Railways Notifies Land Acquisition for Manheru-Bawani Khera Doubling Project in Haryana

The Ministry of Railways, through its North Western Railway (Construction Organization), issued a Notification, S.O. 1672(E), on April 4, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on April 8, 2025. This notification formally declared the Central Government's intention to acquire specific land parcels for the Manheru-Bawani Khera doubling project, a special railway initiative located in District Bhiwani, within the state of Haryana. The action was taken in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008, and the Railway Act, 1989. The notification detailed the land required, including survey/khasra numbers and areas in Kanal/Marla and Hectares, across several villages and sub-divisions within Bhiwani district, such as Jonpal, Lohar, Khera, Manheru, and Dhana Ladanpur. The legislation provided: “for the public purpose, the land, the brief description of which is given in the Schedule below, is required for execution, maintenance, management and operation of a special railway project namely, Manheru-Bawani khera doubling project in District Bhiwani the state of Haryana hereby declares its intention to acquire such land”. Interested persons were granted a period of thirty days from the date of publication of the notification to raise objections to the acquisition and use of the land for the stated purpose, as per sub-section (1) of section 20D of the said Act. Objections must be submitted in writing to the competent authority, identified as the District Revenue Officer, Bhiwani, Haryana, who is mandated to provide an opportunity for a hearing to the objector, either in person or through a legal practitioner. The decision made by the competent authority under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the said Act regarding these objections is stipulated to be final. The land plans and other pertinent details related to the land covered by this notification are available for inspection by interested parties at the office of the competent authority.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely and efficient acquisition of land necessary for critical railway infrastructure development, specifically the Manheru-Bawani Khera doubling project. This project is deemed to serve a public purpose, aiming to enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of the railway network through the construction of an additional track. The policy rationale underscores the government's commitment to modernizing and expanding the national railway system, which is vital for economic growth and connectivity. The notification operates within the existing statutory framework established by the Railway Act, 1989, and its 2008 amendment, which provides the legal basis for land acquisition for railway projects. By clearly outlining the process for declaring intent to acquire land and establishing a mechanism for addressing public objections, the legislation addresses potential issues related to transparency and due process in land acquisition. It ensures that while land is acquired for public utility, affected individuals have a defined avenue to voice their concerns. The provisions for hearing objections by a competent authority and the finality of its order are crucial enforcement mechanisms designed to streamline the acquisition process while upholding legal principles. This approach aims to prevent delays in project execution by providing a clear, legally defined pathway for land procurement for essential public infrastructure.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railway project, Manheru-Bawani Khera, Doubling project, Bhiwani, Haryana, Ministry of Railways, Notification, Public purpose, Infrastructure
Geo Tags: India, Haryana
District: Bhiwani