Publication of notification in the Extraordinary Gazette of India under the Railways amendment Act 2008 under Sub section of 06 of 20F of the Railways Act 1989 Competent authority as Arbitrator for Land Acquisition for Special Railway Project i.e. Construction of 2 Lane ROB in lieu of L Xing No. 19 at km.203/0 2 on CAR CPU section of Prayagraj Division Mirzapur Uttar Pradesh.

## Report on Railway Land Acquisition Policy for Special Projects **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, regarding land acquisition for a special railway project in Uttar Pradesh. The notification appoints the District Magistrate of Mirzapur as the arbitrator for land acquisition related to the construction of a 2-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) in lieu of Level Crossing No. 19 on the ChunarChopan Railway section within the Prayagraj Division. This aims to facilitate a smoother and more efficient process for land acquisition for this critical infrastructure project. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of the notification S.O. 1845(E) issued by the Ministry of Railways on March 10, 2025, concerning the appointment of an arbitrator for land acquisition related to a specific railway project. The analysis is based solely on the information contained within the provided text. **3. Policy Overview:** This notification is an *implementation* of the Railway Act, 1989 and the Railway Amendment Act, 2008, specifically under section 20F(6). The core objective, as inferred from the provided text, is to expedite the land acquisition process required for the construction of railway infrastructure by appointing a dedicated arbitrator. **4. Background and Rationale:** This is not a new policy, but an implementation step under existing laws. The notification addresses the need to acquire land efficiently for special railway projects. The construction of railway infrastructure, such as bridges, often requires land acquisition, which can be a complex and time-consuming process. The appointment of an arbitrator streamlines this process by providing a designated authority to resolve disputes related to land acquisition. The need for this specific land acquisition arises from the project to replace a Level Crossing with a Road Over Bridge. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification specifies the following: * **Appointment of Arbitrator:** The District Magistrate of Mirzapur is appointed as the arbitrator. * **Scope of Authority:** The arbitrator is authorized to perform the functions related to land acquisition under the Railway Act, 1989. * **Project Specificity:** The appointment is specific to land acquisition for the construction of a 2-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) in lieu of Level Crossing No. 19. * **Geographic Location:** The project is located between ChunarChopan Railway station of Prayagraj Division, VillageDarwan, Hinauta and Dadara,TahsilMarihan in the state of Uttar Pradesh. * **Legal Basis:** The action is taken under the powers conferred by subsection 6 of section 20F of the Railway Act 1989 and Railway amendment Act, 2008. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The target audience and stakeholders include: * **Landowners:** Individuals and entities owning land within the specified area that needs to be acquired for the project. * **Mirzapur District Administration:** The District Magistrate and related departments are directly responsible for implementing the land acquisition process. * **North Central Railway (Engineering Department):** The railway division responsible for the construction project. * **Contractors:** Companies involved in the construction of the Road Over Bridge. * **Local Residents:** The residents who will benefit from the improved infrastructure upon the completion of the Road Over Bridge. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The District Magistrate of Mirzapur is the primary responsible authority. The North Central Railway Engineering Department also has a role in initiating the land acqusition requests. * **Procedures:** The notification refers to the Railway Act, 1989, which outlines the procedures for land acquisition, including valuation, compensation, and dispute resolution. The arbitrator will likely follow these procedures. * **Timelines:** The notification is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (April 24, 2025). Specific timelines for the land acquisition process are not provided in the text. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this notification is to: * **Expedite Land Acquisition:** Streamline the land acquisition process by providing a designated arbitrator. * **Facilitate Infrastructure Development:** Enable the timely construction of the Road Over Bridge, improving railway infrastructure. * **Reduce Delays:** Minimize potential delays caused by land acquisition disputes. * **Improve Safety:** Eliminate a level crossing and thus, enhancing safety for both railway and road users. **9. Conclusion:** The notification S.O. 1845(E) represents an important step in facilitating the construction of a critical railway infrastructure project. By appointing the District Magistrate of Mirzapur as the arbitrator for land acquisition, the Ministry of Railways aims to streamline the process, minimize delays, and ensure the timely completion of the 2-lane Road Over Bridge. This will ultimately improve transportation efficiency and safety in the region. This action is significant because it applies existing law to a specific project, showing active implementation of railway development plans.

Key Entities Referenced