Ministry : Ministry of Railways (North Western Railway)

Part II-Section 3-Sub-Section (ii)

Subject : Extra Ordinary

Acquisition of Land for Pushkar-Merta (Katyasani) New BG Line Project in Rajasthan

The Government of India has formally declared the acquisition of 0.7 hectares of land in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, for the development of the "Pushkar-Merta (Katyasani) New BG Line Project", a strategic railway infrastructure initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity.

Key Points

• The Central Government, under Section 20E(1) of the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008, has officially declared the acquisition of specified land in Tehsil Pushkar, District Ajmer, for the execution, maintenance, and operation of the Pushkar-Merta New Broad Gauge rail project.
• The notification follows prior publication in state newspapers “Dainik Bhaskar” and “Rajasthan Patrika” on September 25, 2025, and confirms that all objections were reviewed and resolved by the competent authority.
• A total of 0.7 hectares of land across four survey parcels in villages Ganaheda and Nand has been acquired, including both government and private land, with owners including Ajmer Development Authority and private individuals from the Rawat, Brahmin Joshi, and Bhangi communities.
• Upon publication in the Gazette of India, the land vests absolutely in the Central Government, free from all encumbrances, as mandated under Section 20E(2) of the Act.
• The acquired land is critical for the Special Railway Project, classified as a new infrastructure corridor under the North Western Railway’s construction program, aiming to boost economic and tourism connectivity between Pushkar and Merta.

Land Transfers to Centre for Key Rail Corridor in Rajasthan

The gazette formalizes the transfer of land ownership to the Central Government for a strategically important rail expansion project in Rajasthan, marking the final administrative step after due process under land acquisition law. This move enables immediate commencement of construction activities on the Pushkar-Merta route, which is expected to enhance transportation access in a region of religious and cultural significance. By vesting the land absolutely and free of liens, the notification clears legal hurdles and underscores the national priority status of the project. The inclusion of both private and government parcels highlights inter-agency coordination and targeted displacement minimization.