Railways Ministry Notifies Land Acquisition for Road Over Bridge Project in Waltair Division

The Ministry of Railways, through its East Coast Railway (Construction) division, issued a Notification, S.O. 825(E), on February 17, 2025, declaring its intention to acquire land for a Special Railway Project. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, was made in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways Act, 1989. The Central Government, having been satisfied that the land is required for a public purpose, specifically the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) in lieu of closing a manned Level Crossing (LC) No. ML-400 at Km 714/3-5 between Naupada (NWP) and Kotabommali (KBM) on the Main Line of Waltair Division, initiated the acquisition process. The land, a brief description of which is provided in an annexed schedule, includes both dry and wet private land parcels in Govindapuram village. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

The legislative intent behind such notifications is to facilitate the timely and efficient execution of critical railway infrastructure projects, which are deemed essential for public safety, improved connectivity, and economic development. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the statutory framework for such acquisitions, balancing the public need with the rights of affected landowners. The policy rationale underscores the necessity of upgrading railway infrastructure, particularly by replacing manned level crossings with Road Over Bridges, which significantly enhance safety by eliminating direct intersections between road and rail traffic, thereby reducing accidents and improving traffic flow. The legislation provided: “In exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20A of the Railways (Amendment) Act, 1989 (herein after referred as the said Act.), the Central Government, after being satisfied that for the public purpose, the Land, brief description of which is given in the schedule annexed here to is required for the execution of Special Railway Project, namely, Construction of Road Over Bridge in lieu of closing of manned LC No ML-400 at Km 714/3-5 between Naupada (NWP) Kotabommali (KBM) on Main Line of Waltair Division hereby declares its intention to acquire such land.” This provision establishes the legal basis for the declaration of intent to acquire land for specified railway projects. Any person interested in the said land is granted a period of thirty days from the date of publication of the notification to raise objections to the acquisition under sub-section (1) of section 20D of the Act. These objections must be made in writing to the competent authority, which in this case is identified as the entity responsible for the "Construction of Road Over Bridge in lieu of closing of manned LC No ML-400 at Km 714/3-5 between Naupada (NWP) Kotabommali (KBM) on Main Line of Waltair Division," and must set out the grounds for objection. The competent authority is mandated to provide the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner, and may, after hearing all objections and conducting any necessary inquiry, either allow or disallow the objections. Any order made by the competent authority under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the said Act is final. Land plans and other details pertaining to the land covered by this notification are available for inspection by interested persons at the office of the competent authority. This structured process ensures transparency and provides a legal recourse for individuals affected by the land acquisition, while ultimately enabling the progression of vital public infrastructure projects.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, Railways Act 1989, Road Over Bridge, Waltair Division, Ministry of Railways, Public Purpose, Infrastructure Project, Land Notification, Govindapuram

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh
District: Not Applicable