Maharashtra Assembly Approves Bill to Utilize Grazing Land for Public Infrastructure

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has passed an amendment to the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code that allows uncultivated grazing land, commonly called gairan land, located within municipal corporation and municipal council limits to be used for public infrastructure projects. The proposal was introduced in the assembly by state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who explained that the amendment was intended to make unused government land available for development works needed by growing towns and cities.

According to the state government, the amendment could make nearly 7,700 hectares of such land available across several municipal areas in Maharashtra. Officials indicated that many municipalities and smaller towns struggle to find land for public facilities, and a large amount of grazing land within urban limits remains unused or uncultivated. Allowing controlled use of these parcels is expected to help local authorities plan projects such as roads, public utilities, and civic infrastructure.

Gairan land has traditionally been reserved for grazing and is protected under existing land laws. The government clarified that the amendment does not allow unrestricted conversion of such land. The use of these plots will be permitted only for public works and only when alternative land is not available in the area. Authorities also stated that the land cannot be leased or diverted for commercial activities, ensuring that the plots remain under government ownership and are used only for public purposes.

Under the amended provisions, the identified land will be recorded as collector's land, and district collectors will be responsible for examining and approving proposals related to its use. Before any project begins, the government will carry out proper measurement of the land and remove encroachments if they exist. Officials said this step is necessary because several grazing land parcels in different towns currently face issues related to unauthorized occupation or unclear land records.

Government officials also informed the assembly that the amendment could help unlock unused land parcels in around 29 municipalities along with other smaller towns. In many of these areas, civic bodies face delays in executing projects because acquiring land through traditional processes can take years. By allowing limited use of available government land, the state expects to reduce delays in implementing infrastructure projects needed for local communities.

The bill was passed during the same legislative session in which the assembly also cleared the Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The stamp amendment focuses on simplifying and speeding up the process of stamp duty refunds. At present, authorities functioning under the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority can approve refund applications only up to INR 20 lakh, while higher amounts require approval from the authority itself. The new amendment aims to decentralize these powers so that refund requests can be processed more quickly and with fewer administrative delays.

The land revenue amendment will require further legislative steps before it becomes law. It must be approved by the legislative council, after which it will need the assent of the governor and later the President of India before it can be implemented across the state.

The Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, originally enacted in 1966, regulates land administration, land records, and revenue matters in the state. Over the decades, the law has been amended several times to address changing land use needs and to simplify procedures related to land management and development.