Railways Ministry Notifies Final Land Acquisition for Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur Doubling Project in Uttar Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways, through its North Central Railway (Construction Organization), issued a notification, S.O. 970(E), on February 20, 2025, which was subsequently published in the Official Gazette on February 25, 2025. This notification formalizes the acquisition of land essential for the "Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur Khairar-Bhimsen Railway Doubling Project (411 km)" located in the Mahoba District of Uttar Pradesh. The acquisition process commenced with an earlier notification, S.O. 1291(E), dated December 21, 2023, and Notification Number 1229, dated March 12, 2024. These initial instruments declared the Central Government's intention to acquire the specified land under sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008 (Act 11 of 2008). As required by sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act, the substance of the initial notification was published in daily newspapers, including Amar Ujala and Dainik Jagran, on March 23, 2024. Following this public intimation, any objections received were duly considered by the Competent Authority, and it was noted that no objections were received or that they were appropriately addressed. Subsequently, the Competent Authority submitted its report to the Central Government in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 20E of the Act. Upon the publication of this latest notification in the Official Gazette, the lands detailed in the annexed schedule vested absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances. The acquired land, comprising various private agricultural plots, belongs to numerous individuals such as Parasram, Ramkishor, Mrs. Laxmi, Jaiprakash, and others across villages like Pachpahara and Chando within Mahoba Tehsil.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the critical infrastructure development of the Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur Khairar-Bhimsen Railway Doubling Project. This extensive project aims to significantly enhance railway connectivity and capacity over a 411 km stretch, thereby contributing to the efficient execution, maintenance, management, and operation of this special railway line. The statutory framework for such land acquisitions was established by the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008, which outlines a structured process beginning with a declaration of intent and a public consultation phase. This notification represents the conclusive stage of the acquisition process, ensuring that the necessary land is legally secured for the project's advancement. The legislation provided: “...on publication of this notification in the official Gazette, the land specified in the schedule annexed here to shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances.” This crucial provision ensures that the Central Government obtains a clear and unencumbered title to the land, thereby enabling the uninterrupted progress of the railway doubling project. The notification effectively alters the land ownership status for the identified parcels, transferring them from private individuals to the Central Government for the overarching public utility of railway infrastructure development. The enforcement mechanism is direct and immediate, as the publication of the notification itself triggers the absolute vesting of the land.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railway Doubling Project, Uttar Pradesh, Mahoba, Railways (Amendment) Act 2008, North Central Railway, Infrastructure Development, Public Utility, Official Gazette Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh District: Mahoba