Special Railway Project Notified for Road Over Bridge Construction in Anakapalli

The Ministry of Railways (South Central Railway) issued Notification S.O. 4163(E) on September 10, 2024, formally declaring a new Special Railway Project. This notification, published in the Official Gazette on September 23, 2024, came into effect on the date of its publication. The Central Government, exercising powers conferred by clause (37A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989, designated the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) in place of Level Crossing No. 478, situated at Km. 730/17-19 between Bayyavaram and Narasingapalli stations, as a Special Railway Project. This designation facilitates the acquisition of land necessary for the project in the Anakapalli District of Andhra Pradesh. The primary objective of this undertaking is to provide national infrastructure for a public purpose, addressing critical needs in railway operations and public safety. The project directly impacts landowners in the specified area of Anakapalli district, as well as commuters and railway users who will benefit from the enhanced infrastructure.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to advance crucial national infrastructure projects, particularly those that enhance the safety and efficiency of the Indian railway network. The Railways Act, 1989, through provisions like clause (37A) of Section 2, enables the Central Government to identify and expedite projects deemed vital for public utility and national development. The earlier legal position often involved level crossings, which, while serving their purpose, can pose significant safety risks and contribute to traffic congestion due to their at-grade interaction between road and rail traffic. The construction of a Road Over Bridge directly addresses these statutory gaps and operational limitations by eliminating the direct interface between road vehicles and trains, thereby improving safety for both railway passengers and road users. The legislation provided: “Construction of Road Over Bridge in lieu of Level Crossing No. 478 at Km. 730/17-19 between Bayyavaram - Narasingapalli stations as a Special Railway Project for acquisition of land in the State of Andhra Pradesh in the District of Anakapalli for providing National Infrastructure for a public purpose”. This declaration underscores the policy rationale of prioritizing infrastructure that serves a broad public interest, such as reducing accidents at level crossings and ensuring smoother, uninterrupted movement of both rail and road traffic. The designation as a Special Railway Project streamlines the land acquisition process, which is essential for the timely execution of such large-scale public works.

Keywords: Road Over Bridge, Special Railway Project, Railways Act 1989, Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, National Infrastructure, Land Acquisition, Ministry of Railways, Level Crossing

Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh District: Anakapalli