Ministry of Railways Notifies Land Acquisition for Road Over Bridge Construction in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District

The Ministry of Railways, through the South Central Railway, issued a notification on December 11, 2025, concerning the acquisition of land for a significant infrastructure project. This notification, S.O. 5750(E), was published in the Gazette of India as an extraordinary issue, signifying its immediate effect. It was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (Act 24 of 1989), which grants the Central Government authority to acquire land for railway purposes. The Central Government, having been satisfied regarding the necessity for the project, initiated the process for acquiring approximately 7.0376 acres of land. The primary purpose of this acquisition is the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) to replace Level Crossing No. 409, located at Kilometer 597/17-19 in Dwarapudi yard. This land is situated in Z. Medapadu Village of Mandapeta Mandal within the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on December 11, 2025.

The notification details the procedure for any interested person to raise objections to the proposed land acquisition. Such objections must be submitted within a period of thirty days from the date of the notification's publication in the Official Gazette. These objections are to be made in writing to the Competent Authority Land Acquisition officer, who is identified as the Revenue Divisional Officer, Ramachandrapuram. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner. Following the hearing of all objections and any necessary further inquiry, the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections. Any order made by the Competent Authority under sub-section (2) of Section 20-D of the Railways Act, 1989, shall be considered final. The land plans and other pertinent details regarding the land under this notification are available for inspection by interested persons at the office of the Competent Authority (CALA). The legislation provided: “Any person interested in the said land may, within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, raise objection to the acquisition and use of such land for the aforesaid purpose under sub-section (1) of Section 20-D of the said Act.”

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the modernization and safety enhancements of the Indian railway network. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for the acquisition of land necessary for railway projects, recognizing the public utility and strategic importance of such infrastructure. The construction of a Road Over Bridge in lieu of a level crossing is a standard measure aimed at improving traffic flow, reducing congestion, and significantly enhancing safety by eliminating direct intersections between road and rail traffic. Level crossings are known points of accidents and bottlenecks, and their replacement with overbridges addresses these critical issues. This specific notification addresses the practical step of acquiring the necessary land, both government and private (referred to as "Zeroiti land"), for the Dwarapudi yard project. The process outlined for raising objections ensures transparency and provides a mechanism for affected individuals to voice their concerns, thereby balancing public interest with individual rights. The finality of the Competent Authority's order under Section 20-D(2) ensures a definitive resolution to land acquisition disputes, allowing projects to proceed efficiently.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Road Over Bridge, Level Crossing, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District, Ministry of Railways, Notification, Infrastructure, South Central Railway

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh
District: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District