THE RAILWAYS ACT, 1989 – Chapter V – Section 22

22. Formalities to be Complied with Before Giving Sanction to the Opening of a Railway

(1) The Central Government shall, before giving its sanction to the opening of a railway under section 21, obtain a report from the Commissioner that:-

(a) He has made a careful inspection of the railway and the rolling stock that may be used thereon;
(b) The moving and fixed dimensions as laid down by the Central Government have not been infringed;
(c) The structure of lines of rails, strength of bridges, general structural character of the works and the size of, and maximum gross load upon, the axles of any rolling stock, comply with the requirements laid down by the Central Government; and
(d) In his opinion, the railway can be opened for the public carriage of passengers without any danger to the public using it.

(2) If the Commissioner is of the opinion that the railway cannot be opened without any danger to the public using it, he shall, in his report, state the grounds therefor, as also the requirements which, in his opinion, are to be complied with before sanction is given by the Central Government.

(3) The Central Government, after considering the report of the Commissioner, may sanction the opening of a railway under section 21 as such or subject to such conditions as may be considered necessary by it for the safety of the public.

Forward reference⇒Section 23