Central Government Declares Final Land Acquisition for Churu-Sadulpur Railway Doubling Project

The Ministry of Railways (North Western Railway Construction) issued a Notification, S.O. 631(E), on February 6, 2025, formally declaring the acquisition of land for the Churu-Sadulpur (57.82 km) Doubling project in Churu District, Rajasthan. This notification, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section-3, Sub-section (ii), marked the culmination of a statutory process initiated under the Railways (Amendment). Act, 2008 (11 of 2008). The Central Government had previously expressed its intention to acquire the land for the execution, maintenance, and operation of this Special Railway Project through notification S.O. 5100(E) dated November 11, 2024. Following this, the substance of the initial notification was published in local daily newspapers, Rajasthan Patrika and Danik Bhaskar, on December 3, 2024, as required by sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act. Subsequently, objections received were heard and disallowed by the competent authority under sub-section (2) of section 20D of the Act. The competent authority then submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 20E of the Act. Upon receipt of this report, the Central Government exercised its powers under sub-section (1) of section 20E to declare the land specified in the annexed schedule as acquired for the stated purpose. The notification further stipulated that upon its publication in the Official Gazette, the specified land would vest absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances (legal claims or liabilities). The acquired land, totaling 0.1968 hectares of private land across Dhingi and Haydal villages in Taranagar Tehsil, Churu District, includes specific survey/khasra numbers and details of land owners.

The legislative intent behind this Notification is to facilitate the timely and unhindered development of critical railway infrastructure, specifically the Churu-Sadulpur Doubling project, which aims to enhance railway capacity and operational efficiency in the region. The earlier legal position, governed by the  Railways (Amendment). Act, 2008, established a multi-stage process for land acquisition, beginning with an intention to acquire, followed by public notification, invitation for objections, and their disposal. This structured approach addresses potential issues and limitations by ensuring due process is followed before final acquisition. The Notification serves as the final declaration, ensuring that the land required for the project is legally secured. The legislation provided: “...on publication of this notification in the official Gazette, that land specified in the schedule annexed hereto shall vest absolutely in the Central Government free from all encumbrances.” This provision ensures a clear title for the Central Government, enabling the railway project to proceed without future disputes over land ownership. The process outlined in the  Railways (Amendment). Act, 2008, including the handling of objections and the submission of reports by the competent authority, forms the enforcement mechanism for such acquisitions, ensuring transparency and adherence to legal norms. This final declaration marks a significant step in the project's timeline, transferring ownership and control of the necessary land to the Central Government for public utility.

Keywords: Land Acquisition, Railway Project, Churu-Sadulpur, Doubling Project, Railways Act 2008, Rajasthan, Ministry of Railways, Notification, Infrastructure
Geo Tags: India, Rajasthan
District: Churu