Railways Ministry Initiates Land Acquisition for Boridand-Surajpur Doubling Project in Chhattisgarh

The Ministry of Railways (South East Central Railway) recently issued Notification S.O. 856(E), published in the Gazette of India on February 17, 2025. This instrument, a formal notice under Section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), declares the Central Government's intention to acquire land for the Boridand-Surajpur Doubling project, a significant Special Railway Project spanning 79.90 kilometers. The land identified for acquisition is situated across the districts of Manendragarh-chirimiri-Bharatpur, Surajpur, and Koriya in Chhattisgarh State. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

The primary objective behind this notification is to facilitate the expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure in the region, which the Central Government has deemed a public purpose. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government, after being satisfied that for the public purpose, the land brief description of which is given in the schedule annexed hereto is required for the execution of Special Railway Project, Boridand-Surajpur Doubling project (79.90 Km) situated in Chhattisgarh State in District Manendragarh-chirimiri-Bharatpur, Surajpur and Koriya in the state of Chhattisgarh, hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.” This declaration initiates the formal process for land acquisition, which is crucial for the timely execution of the doubling project. The notification outlines a clear procedure for individuals whose land may be affected. Any person interested in the said land is granted a period of 30 days from the date of the notification's publication to raise objections to the proposed acquisition. These objections must be submitted in writing to the designated Competent Authority, specifically the concerned Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue) in Manendragarh, Baikunthpur, and Surajpur, Chhattisgarh, detailing the grounds for their objection. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner, before making a decision. Following such hearings and any necessary further inquiry, the Competent Authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections, and this order, made under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the Railways Act, 1989, shall be final. The land plans and other relevant details pertaining to the land covered by this notification are available for inspection at the offices of the Competent Authority. The schedule annexed to the notification provides a brief description of the land parcels, including Khasra numbers and areas in hectares, distinguishing between private and government land, all earmarked for the doubling of the railway line between Boridand and Surajpur.

Keywords: Railway Act 1989, land acquisition, Boridand-Surajpur Doubling project, Chhattisgarh, Ministry of Railways, public purpose, infrastructure, notification, land acquisition process

Geo Tags: India, Chhattisgarh
District: Manendragarh-chirimiri-Bharatpur, Surajpur, Koriya