Central Government Designates Competent Authorities for Railway Infrastructure Projects in Odisha

The Ministry of Railways, East Coast Railway (Constructions), issued a Notification, S.O. 122(E), on January 8, 2026, to designate specific officers as Competent Authorities for various Special Railway Projects in the State of Odisha. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, came into force immediately upon its publication. The Central Government exercised powers conferred by Clause 7(A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), to authorize these officers. The primary objective was to facilitate the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) in lieu of closing manned Level Crossings (LCs) across several railway sections. The designated Competent Authorities include Tahsildars from Ganjam, Chatrapur, Berhampur, Konisi, and Chikiti, each assigned to specific project areas. These projects are situated along the Khurda Road (KUR) Section, encompassing locations such as Rambha-Humma, Humma-Ganjam, Chatrapur-Jagannathpur, Jagannathpur-Berhampur, Berhampur-Golanthra, and Surla Road-Ichchpuram. The legislation provided: “...the Central Government hereby authorize the officer mentioned in column (2) of the Table below as the Competent Authority to perform the function of such authority under said Act in respect of area of the Special Railway Project mentioned in column(3) of the Table below in the State of Odisha with effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.”

The legislative intent behind this notification was to streamline the implementation of crucial railway infrastructure development projects aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency. The Railways Act, 1989, provides the foundational statutory framework for railway operations and development in India. However, to ensure the smooth execution of specific projects, particularly those involving land acquisition and local administrative oversight, there is a recurring need for clear delegation of authority at the local level. This notification addresses this administrative requirement by formally designating local Tahsildars as Competent Authorities. This measure is designed to bridge potential statutory gaps in project execution by empowering local officials to perform necessary functions under the Act, thereby avoiding administrative delays. The construction of Road Over Bridges is a significant policy initiative aimed at eliminating manned level crossings, which are frequently points of traffic congestion and safety hazards. By replacing these crossings with ROBs, the government seeks to improve the flow of both rail and road traffic, reduce the incidence of accidents, and modernize the railway network. The designation of these authorities establishes a clear enforcement mechanism, ensuring that these vital infrastructure upgrades are carried out efficiently and in compliance with the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989.

Keywords: Railways Act 1989, Road Over Bridge, Competent Authority, Odisha, Ministry of Railways, Infrastructure, Level Crossing, Railway Project, Notification, East Coast Railway.

Geo Tags: India, Odisha
District: Ganjam, Chatrapur, Berhampur, Konisi, Chikiti