Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha has informed that as on 31.03.2016, approximately 879.48 hectares of land is under encroachment. Most of these encroachments are in the approaches of the Stations in Metros and big cities. For these encroachments, Railways carry out regular surveys and take action for their removal. If the encroachments are of temporary nature (soft encroachment) in the shape of jhuggis, jhopries and squatters, the same is got removed in consultation and with the assistance of Railway Protection Force and local civil authorities. For old encroachments, where party is not amenable to persuasion, action is taken under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 (PPE Act, 1971), as amended from time to time. Actual eviction of unauthorized occupants is carried out with the assistance of State Government and police. During the last three years, 89 hectares encroached land has been retrieved.
In order to safeguard Railway land, regular inspections are carried out at various levels. In case, any trespass is noticed which may eventually lead to encroachment, it is removed there and then. The land records are regularly updated and got verified from revenue authorities. Besides these regular measures, keeping in view the seriousness of the issue, the digitized mapping of land records has been initiated and it has been decided to fix responsibility on officials for any encroachments. To protect Railway land, Railway also takes measures like provision of boundary wall, tree plantation at vulnerable locations, Grow More Food Scheme etc.