Do You Know How Much Land Indian Railways Owns? The Number Will Surprise You!

As of March 31, 2024, Indian Railways holds approximately 4.90 lakh hectares of land across the country. This extensive land bank supports the nation’s railway infrastructure, including tracks, stations, production units, workshops, and terminals. A portion of this land is also licensed or leased out for various non-core activities and development initiatives.

Breakdown of Leased Railway Land

Out of the total land holdings, 8,812 hectares have been leased or licensed for multiple purposes. These include facilities related to passengers, cargo, and commercial development projects.

As of March 31, 2024, Indian Railways holds a total of 4,90,211 hectares of land, out of which 8,812 hectares have been leased or licensed for various purposes. Among the zones, Northeast Frontier Railway possesses the highest landholding at 48,469 hectares, with 1,214 hectares leased. The Northern Railway follows with 46,447 hectares, of which 474 hectares are leased. The South Central Railway holds 40,600 hectares, leasing 237 hectares, while the Western Railway owns 38,275 hectares with 620 hectares leased.

Significant leasing activity is seen in the East Central Railway, which has leased 2,437 hectares out of 33,644 hectares—the highest among all zones.

Land Leased for Various Purposes

Out of the total land, around 8,812 hectares have been leased or licensed for multiple purposes while retaining ownership with Indian Railways. These purposes include:

• Passenger amenities
  
• Cargo and freight facilities
  
• Commercial development
  
• Licensing to government departments and public utilities
  
• Educational institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas

The leasing of land is conducted under the prevailing policy framework to ensure transparency and strategic utilisation.

Surplus Land Development Through RLDA

The surplus land, which is not immediately required for operational use, is handed over to the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). RLDA is responsible for commercially developing these parcels while ensuring that the ownership remains with Indian Railways.

Such development initiatives typically aim to:

• Monetise underutilised assets
  
• Create new sources of revenue for Indian Railways
  
• Enhance urban infrastructure and connectivity

This leasing model helps balance operational requirements with commercial potential, ensuring efficient land use.

Government Statement in Parliament

This information was provided by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. 

Conclusion

Indian Railways continues to be a key asset-heavy public enterprise in India. Its approach to leasing surplus land while retaining ownership demonstrates a strategic model of infrastructure management. By aligning operational requirements with commercial opportunities, Indian Railways not only serves public transport needs but also contributes to urban and economic development.

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