(a) whether a vast tract of railway land in various railway zones particularly those in backward areas, is lying vacant;
(b) if so, the details thereof at present, State /zone-wise;
(c) whether the Railways have taken or propose to take concrete steps to give vacant and unused lands of the Railways spreading in various zones to the poor on lease in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Railways in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1863 BY SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.03.2015 REGARDING RAILWAY LAND
(a) to (c): As on 31st March 2014, the vacant land available with the Railways is about 46409 hectare. The vacant Railway land is mostly in the form of narrow strips along tracks, which is required for servicing and maintenance of track, bridges and other infrastructure. The vacant railway land is also utilized for execution of various infrastructural projects for meeting future growth needs of Railways and include projects like doubling/tripling and traffic facilities works, etc. The vacant land, which is not required by Railways for its immediate operational needs, is utilized in the interim period for commercial development through Rail Land Development Authority wherever feasible, in order to mobilize additional financial resources. As such Railway has no policy/proposal to give Railway land on lease to poor people.
State-wise details of vacant land are not maintained. However, Zone wise details of vacant land as on 31.03.2014 are appended.
(d) & (e): Do not arise.