Lok Sabha
As on 31.3.2008 there are approximately 1.44 lakh encroachments covering an area of 1567 hectare. Railways are engaged in a continuous exercise to remove encroachments on railway land in accordance with provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of unauthorized occupants) Act, 1971 (PPE Act, 1971) and Railway Act, 1989. Before eviction of encroachers, prior notices are issued and adequate opportunities are granted to the encroachers for voluntarily vacating the land. Removal of encroachment is invariably done in the presence of State Government authorities like Magistrate etc. In the process of removal, efforts are always made to ensure that the encroachers do not face any hardship.
The vacant railway land is required by the Railway for its future development works. However, till such time, the land is required by Railways for its own operational use, the same is put to various short-term uses like commercial licensing, commercial plantation, Grow More Food (GMF) schemes etc. In addition where potential exists, it is proposed to undertake commercial development of land through Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Dr. R. Velu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
AKS/HK/LK/TR
(Release ID :44139)