Question : ENCROACHMENT ON RAILWAY LAND

(a) whether C&AG in its report No.8 of 2004 (Railways)-para 6.3.1 has brought out that the Railway administration has failed in protecting its land valuing Rs.49.28 crore from encroachments and non-recovery of its due of Rs.0.93 crore from the sidings owners;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon and the steps taken to remove the unauthorised occupation and to recover the dues from the sidings owner; and

(c) the area of railway land under unauthorised encroachments falling under the jurisdiction of Northern Railway and steps taken/to be taken to get the same vacated?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b): Railways have taken up the eviction of said encroachments as per the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. However, the eviction proceedings suffered setback due to Court cases, and lack of adequate cooperation from the local administration.

(c): The total area of Railway land under encroachments falling under the jurisdiction of Northern Railway is approximately 1155.71 hectare. Railways are engaged in a continuous exercise to free their land from encroachments as per the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 and the Railways Act, 1989.