Date: 2025-11-12Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
20A Gazette Notification for acquisition of Land in Hooghly District in the State of West Bengal in connection with Special Railway Project for Howrah Div 40 Nos of Level Crossing of Dedicated Frieght Corridor Route by ROB/RUBs on Dankuni to Khana HBC Line
**Executive Summary**
This document is a notification from the Ministry of Railways (Eastern Railway) regarding the intended acquisition of land in the Hooghly District of West Bengal, India. The acquisition is for the Howrah Division project, specifically for the elimination of level crossings on the Durgapur-Kolkata line by constructing road overbridges/underbridges. The notification was issued on October 28, 2025, and affected parties have 30 days from the publication date (November 12, 2025) to file objections.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose of Acquisition:**
* Construction, maintenance, and operation of a special railway project: Howrah Division - Elimination of Level Crossings by Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges on the Durgapur-Kolkata Chord line.
* **Land Details:**
* The land to be acquired is located in the Hooghly District of West Bengal.
* The schedule attached lists the specific plots, areas (in acres and hectares), and villages affected.
* The land is for partial or full acquisition as specified in the schedule.
* Affected Mouzas include Dank, Khagra, Madhusudanpur, and Kinkarbati.
* **Objection Process:**
* Interested parties have 30 days from the publication date of the notification in the Official Gazette to raise objections.
* Objections must be submitted in writing to the Additional District Magistrate (Land Acquisition), Hooghly, West Bengal.
* The Competent Authority will provide the objector an opportunity to be heard, either in person or by a legal practitioner.
* The Competent Authority will either allow or disallow objections by order.
* Any order made by the Competent Authority is final.
* **Land Plan Availability:**
* Land plans and other details are available for inspection at the office of the Competent Authority.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Landowners/Interested Parties in Hooghly District, West Bengal**
* **Impact:** Landowners will be affected by the potential acquisition of their property. This may impact their livelihood, residence, or business operations, depending on the extent of the land being acquired.
* **Action Required:** If landowners are opposed to the acquisition, they must file written objections with the Additional District Magistrate (Land Acquisition), Hooghly, West Bengal, within 30 days of the notification's publication. They should include the grounds for their objection and prepare to present their case in a hearing.
**Stakeholder: Additional District Magistrate (Land Acquisition), Hooghly, West Bengal**
* **Impact:** The Additional District Magistrate (Land Acquisition) will receive and process objections to the land acquisition.
* **Action Required:** The Additional District Magistrate (Land Acquisition) must review all objections, provide objectors with an opportunity to be heard, conduct any necessary investigations, and issue orders either allowing or disallowing the objections.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Railways (Eastern Railway)**
* **Impact:** The Ministry of Railways is responsible for executing the land acquisition process to facilitate the railway project.
* **Action Required:** The Ministry must ensure that the land acquisition process is conducted according to the Railways Act, 1989, and that all affected parties are properly notified and given the opportunity to object. They also need to consider the objections and act accordingly.
Key Entities Referenced
Railways Act, 1989: The primary act under which the land acquisition is being carried out.
Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008: Amendment to the Railways Act, 1989, under which the land acquisition is being carried out.
Section 20A: Section of the Railways Act, 1989 that confers the power to acquire land for railway purposes.
Section 20D: Section of the Railways Act, 1989 specifying the procedure for objections to the acquisition.
Dedicated Freight Corridor: The railway project for which land is being acquired, specifically for eliminating level crossings.