Railways Ministry Notifies Land Acquisition for Road Over Bridge in Andhra Pradesh

The Ministry of Railways, through its East Coast Railway (Construction) division, issued a Notification on February 19, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire land for a significant railway infrastructure project. This notification, designated S.O. 869(E), was published in the Official Gazette and came into force upon its publication. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways (Amendment) Act, 1989, initiated this process after determining that the land, detailed in an annexed schedule, is required for a public purpose. The specific project involves the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) to replace a manned level crossing, LC No ML-393, located at Km 702/31-33 between Naupada (NWP) and Kotabommali (KBM) on the Main Line of the Waltair Division. This measure aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency on the railway network.

The notification outlines a clear procedure for individuals affected by the proposed acquisition. Any person with an interest in the identified land is granted a period of thirty days from the date of the notification's publication in the Official Gazette to raise objections to the acquisition. These objections must be submitted in writing to the designated Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), which is the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tekkali, for this specific project. The objection must clearly state the grounds for opposition. The Competent Authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity to be heard, either personally or through a legal practitioner. Following the hearing of all objections and any necessary further inquiry, the Competent Authority will issue an order either allowing or disallowing the objections. The legislation provided: “Any order made by the competent authority under sub-section (2) of 20D of the said Act shall be final.” Furthermore, the notification specifies that land plans and other pertinent details regarding the land covered by this acquisition are available for inspection by interested parties at the office of the Competent Authority. The land parcels identified for acquisition are located in Tekkali Mandal, Santhabommali, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, and include various plots of 'WET Private' land.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely acquisition of land essential for critical railway development projects, thereby addressing existing statutory limitations that might impede such infrastructure upgrades. The policy rationale underscores the public purpose of improving railway safety by replacing manned level crossings with Road Over Bridges, which are crucial for reducing accidents and ensuring smoother traffic flow. This action operates within the framework of the Railways Act, 1989, which provides the legal basis for land acquisition for railway purposes. The notification does not introduce new rights or obligations but rather activates existing provisions of the Act, creating an obligation for interested parties to formally register their dissent within a stipulated timeframe if they wish to challenge the acquisition. The enforcement mechanism is clearly defined, with the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition serving as the primary body for adjudicating objections, and its decisions are accorded finality under the Act. This streamlined process aims to ensure that vital public infrastructure projects can proceed efficiently while also providing a mechanism for affected individuals to voice their concerns.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railways Act, Road Over Bridge, railway project, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, public purpose, infrastructure, East Coast Railway, notification
Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh
District: Srikakulam