Mumbai Railways to Replace Vegetable Farms with Floral Lands
Big plans are underway to hand over surplus land for real estate, as railways aim to beautify tracks and eliminate health risks associated with vegetable farming.
Mumbai RailwaysReal EstateVegetable FarmingHorticultureRailway Land Development AuthorityReal Estate MumbaiAug 08, 2024
There have been reports of drain and sewage water being used to irrigate vegetable farms along railway tracks, causing serious health risks to consumers. These farms produced green vegetables such as carrots, radishes, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables.
The railway department has been under pressure to discontinue leasing land for farming, as vegetables grown here enter the broader Mumbai market and endanger unsuspecting consumers. In fact, the Bombay High Court directed the railways to address grievances in this connection, leading to discontinuation of vegetable farming on lands along some Navi Mumbai railway stations.
In a ruling, the Bombay High Court ordered the railways to stop using sewage water to grow vegetables on land next to railway tracks in Mumbai. The court took cognizance of reports that vegetables grown here with sewage water contained high levels of heavy metals like zinc, cadmium, lead, cobalt, and chromium, exceeding safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The railways in Mumbai give empty lands along rail tracks to its class C and D employees on lease to grow vegetables. By leasing the land for farming, the Railway ensures that the land remains safe from slum encroachers while it is also productively used.
In Mumbai, the railway has leased about 260 acres for farming. Recently, it added another 150 acres to grow flowers along the track. Over time, the railway plans to use all the cultivable land for growing flowers.
Indian Railways has 68,426.35 km of line and 132,310 km of tracks out of which 63,456 km is electrified. Railways lease unused land to its employees to cultivate crops under the Grow More Food scheme, initiated in the mid-1960s. The idea is to help employees generate extra income and discourage encroachment by slums.
To manage its vast land resources and monetize them, Indian railways has constituted the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA). It has identified 43,000 hectares of vacant land that may not be required for operational purposes in the foreseeable future.
In April, news reports claimed that Indian railways plans to lease 342 hectares of prime land for Rs 5000 crore to real estate developers across the country. It includes 110 hectares in Mumbai and 59 hectares in Delhi.
From beautifying railway tracks with flower and decorative plants on vacant land to leasing out prime real estate for development and commercial use, the railways have many plans for its land resources. However, encroachment of land along the tracks by slums and overall poor standards of hygiene and cleanliness of railway stations remain a big issue.
About Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA)
RLDA is a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways, responsible for the development of vacant railway land for commercial use. It was established in 2005 to generate revenue from non-core assets and to promote the development of railway land.
About Indian Railways
Indian Railways is the largest landowner in the country, with a vast network of tracks and stations. It has 68,426.35 km of line and 132,310 km of tracks out of which 63,456 km is electrified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Mumbai railway department discontinuing vegetable farming on its land?
The department is discontinuing vegetable farming due to reports of drain and sewage water being used to irrigate farms, causing serious health risks to consumers.
What is the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA)?
RLDA is a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways, responsible for the development of vacant railway land for commercial use.
How much land has the railway leased for farming in Mumbai?
The railway has leased about 260 acres for farming in Mumbai.
What is the Grow More Food scheme?
The Grow More Food scheme is an initiative by Indian Railways to lease unused land to its employees to cultivate crops, helping them generate extra income and discouraging encroachment by slums.
How much land does Indian Railways plan to lease to real estate developers?
Indian Railways plans to lease 342 hectares of prime land for Rs 5000 crore to real estate developers across the country.
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