Railways Act, 1989
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.