Publication of publication of extraordinary gazette under PART II Section 3 Sub Section ii Notification under Section 20A of the Railway Act 1989 24 of 1989 in connection with private land acquisition for Quadrupling of Virar Dahanu Road Railway Project under MUTP III in the Palghar District in the State of Maharashtra

## Report on Land Acquisition for Quadrupling of Virar-Dahanu Corridor Project **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Railways, Western Railway, regarding the acquisition of land for the Quadrupling of the Virar-Dahanu Corridor, a Special Railway Project under Mumbai Urban Transport Project III (MUTP III), in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. The notification declares the government's intention to acquire specified land parcels and outlines the process for affected individuals to raise objections. The key finding is that the notification initiates the land acquisition process for a specific infrastructure project, directly impacting landowners in the designated area and providing them with a legally defined avenue to voice their concerns. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative overview of a government notification concerning land acquisition for the Quadrupling of the Virar-Dahanu Corridor project. This analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification, focusing on its key provisions, affected parties, and the procedures it establishes. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new policy action* related to land acquisition under the Railways Act, 1989. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to acquire land deemed necessary for the execution of the Special Railway Project: Quadrupling of Virar-Dahanu Corridor on Western Railway, part of MUTP III. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Background and Rationale (New Policy):** The policy likely addresses the need for increased railway capacity and improved transportation infrastructure in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Quadrupling of the Virar-Dahanu Corridor suggests existing rail lines are insufficient to meet current or projected demand, necessitating expansion. The text specifically states the acquisition is "for the public purpose," implying the project aims to benefit the broader community through enhanced rail services. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Key Provisions (New Policy):** * **Declaration of Intention to Acquire:** The notification formally declares the Central Government's intention to acquire specific parcels of land for the railway project. * **Right to Object:** It grants individuals with an interest in the land the right to raise objections to the acquisition within 30 days of the notification's publication. * **Objection Procedure:** It specifies the process for filing objections, requiring them to be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority (Assistant Collector-Sub Divisional Officer, Dahanu, District Palghar, Maharashtra), outlining the grounds for objection. * **Hearing and Decision:** The Competent Authority is mandated to provide objectors with an opportunity to be heard, either in person or through a legal practitioner, and to make a decision on the objections after due inquiry. The Competent Authority’s order is final. * **Land Plan Availability:** The notification states that land plans and other details related to the acquired land are available for inspection at the office of the Competent Authority. * **Land Details:** The notification includes a schedule specifying the district, taluka, village, survey number, and area (in hectares) of the land to be acquired. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Landowners in the Palghar district, specifically in the Dahanu Taluka, whose land falls within Survey Numbers 388, 389, and 392 of Pale village. * The Competent Authority (Assistant Collector-Sub Divisional Officer, Dahanu, District Palghar, Maharashtra) responsible for handling objections and making decisions. * The Ministry of Railways, Western Railway, responsible for executing the railway project. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Central Government (Ministry of Railways, Western Railway) is ultimately responsible for the project. The Assistant Collector-Sub Divisional Officer, Dahanu, District Palghar, Maharashtra, acts as the Competent Authority. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification specifies a 30-day window from the date of publication (July 27, 2022) for affected individuals to raise objections. The Competent Authority is then responsible for hearing and deciding on these objections. * The notification indicates that land plans and relevant details are available for inspection at the Competent Authority's office. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** * **Expected Outcomes (New Policy):** The intended outcome is the successful acquisition of land necessary for the Quadrupling of the Virar-Dahanu Corridor project. This is expected to facilitate the project's construction, ultimately leading to increased railway capacity, reduced congestion, and improved transportation services in the region. A potential negative outcome could be disputes arising from landowners objecting to the acquisition, potentially delaying the project. **9. Conclusion:** The Ministry of Railways' notification marks a crucial step in the land acquisition process for the Quadrupling of the Virar-Dahanu Corridor project. It establishes a legal framework for acquiring the necessary land while providing affected individuals with the opportunity to voice their concerns. The successful implementation of this policy is vital for advancing the railway infrastructure project and achieving its intended benefits for the public.

Key Entities Referenced