Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that only 0.21% of Indian Railways' land across the country is under illegal encroachment, and emphasized that this issue remains a serious concern in several urban areas and is being addressed with a humanitarian approach.
Responding to the question during the question hour in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said that the vast majority of railway land is already in operational or safety use. He stated that nearly 80% of railway land is occupied by railway tracks, while around 5% is land immediately adjacent to the tracks that is maintained as a safety margin.
The Minister informed us that the remaining 15% is used for stations, railway colonies, hospitals, and other railway-related facilities. Calling encroachment on railway land a very serious problem, the Minister acknowledged that illegal occupation has taken place in several cities over time.
The Minister said that wherever possible, the Railways have tried to find practical solutions in coordination with state governments, balancing the need to protect railway property and safety with humanitarian considerations.