Central Government Notifies Land Acquisition for Wardha-Nagpur 4th Railway Line Project

The Ministry of Railways (Central Railway) issued a notification, S.O. 275(E), on January 7, 2026, which was subsequently published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, on January 20, 2026. This notification formally declares the acquisition of specific land parcels for the execution, maintenance, management, and operation of the Special Railway Project, namely the Wardha-Nagpur 4th line, located in the Wardha district of Maharashtra. The action was taken under the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 20E of the Railway Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), as amended by the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008 (11 of 2008).

The process for this acquisition commenced with an earlier notification, S.O. 1802 (E), dated April 17, 2025, which declared the Central Government's intention to acquire the land. In compliance with sub-section (4) of section 20A of the said Act, the substance of this initial notification was published in daily newspapers, Dainik Jansangram and Dainik Arvi Times, on May 29, 2025, to inform the public and invite objections. Following this, no objections were received by the competent authority, which then proceeded to consider the matter and pass necessary orders. Subsequently, the competent authority submitted its report to the Central Government in pursuance of sub-section 20E of the Act. The land, which includes parcels owned by the Indian Food Corporation and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation in Chinchala village, Wardha district, totals an acquiring area of 0.0991 hectares.

The legislative intent behind this notification is to facilitate the timely and unhindered development of critical railway infrastructure, specifically the expansion of the Wardha-Nagpur railway corridor. The policy rationale underscores the necessity of acquiring land for public utility projects, ensuring that such projects, vital for national connectivity and economic growth, can proceed efficiently. The legal framework provided by the Railway Act, 1989, and its 2008 amendment, establishes a structured mechanism for land acquisition, balancing the public interest with the rights of landowners. This framework addresses potential issues by mandating public notification and a period for objections, thereby ensuring transparency and due process in land acquisition proceedings.

The notification serves to finalize the acquisition process, ensuring that the Central Government obtains clear title to the land required for the Wardha-Nagpur 4th line project. The legislation provided: “...on publication of this notification in the official Gazette, the land specified in the Schedule annexed hereto shall vest absolutely in Central Government free from all encumbrances.” This provision is crucial as it clarifies that upon the notification's publication, the ownership of the designated land transfers entirely to the Central Government, free from any prior claims or liabilities (encumbrances), thereby enabling the immediate commencement or continuation of the railway project without legal impediments. This mechanism ensures that once the statutory procedures, including the consideration of objections, are completed, the land is secured for its intended public purpose, streamlining the execution of significant infrastructure developments.

Keywords: Land acquisition, Railway Act, Wardha-Nagpur 4th line, Central Government, Maharashtra, infrastructure, railway project, notification, Ministry of Railways, land vesting Geo Tags: India, Maharashtra District: Wardha