Railway Land Ownership Records to Be Streamlined Across Maharashtra State

Admin

Mumbai: The Government of Maharashtra, Revenue and Forest Department, has issued a Government Resolution No. Sankirna- 2025/P.R.236/Bhumpan/E-1346038 dated 07.05.2026 regarding registration of railway lands in the name of “Government of India, Railways” in village maps and revenue records across Maharashtra state.

The resolution aims at systematic updation of Village Form 7/12 records, Property Cards, village maps and other land records for railway lands by assigning separate Survey Numbers, Gat Numbers and City Survey Numbers wherever required.

Although railway tracks exist since pre-independence times and further Indian Railways, over the years has acquired private lands for additional railway tracks and various railway infrastructure works, due to non-updation of revenue records, several railway lands continue to remain without proper ownership entries in Village form 7/12 and Property Cards.

In several cases, railway lands have been shown as roads or pathways, while acquisition records were not incorporated in revenue databases. This has led to encroachments, disputes and litigation relating to railway properties.

Considering requests made by Railways, the Government of Maharashtra has now decided to undertake a comprehensive exercise for correction and updation of railway land records.

As per the State Government Resolution:

  • Original survey maps and land records will be verified and separate Village Form 7/12 entries will be opened in the name of “Government of India, Railways.”
  • Separate Survey/Gat Numbers will be assigned to railway lands wherever necessary.
  • Railway ownership entries will be incorporated in consolidation and resurvey schemes where ownership details are missing.
  • Railway expansion areas and post-survey land acquisition records will be updated in revenue records as “Government of India, Railways”.
  • Where land acquisition changes have not been reflected in Village Form 7/12 despite “Kami-Jasta Patrak”, records shall be updated immediately.
  • Missing records relating to new railway lines and stations will be incorporated based on acquisition awards, maps and possession documents by District Collectors and Land Acquisition Officers.
  • Railway lands wrongly classified as roads or pathways will be corrected after due verification.
  • Dotted railway boundaries in old maps will be converted into firm boundaries with proper ownership entries.
  • In urban and City Survey areas, separate Property Cards will be opened for railway stations, tracks and railway properties in the name of “Government of India, Railways.”
  • District Collectors will undertake a special joint campaign with Revenue and Land Records Departments for statewide updation of railway land records.

Benefits of the procedure:

  • Title Clarity and Legal Ownership Protection: The GR ensures railway lands are formally recorded in Village Form 7/12 and Property Cards under the name “Government of India–Railways,” giving Central Railway legally recognised ownership documentation.
  • Reduction in Encroachments: The GR strengthens Central Railway’s legal authority to identify and remove encroachments on its land especially in high-density urban regions such as Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nagpur, where rising land pressure has led to frequent disputes and unauthorised occupation.
  • Reduction in Litigation: The GR aims to reduce ongoing court disputes providing stronger documentary evidence in legal proceedings, helping minimise both the number and duration of land-related cases.
  • Asset Monetisation Potential: Clear and updated revenue records will enable effective monetisation of land through station redevelopment, logistics projects, leasing, and commercial development initiatives.
  • Simplified Land Acquisition for Future Projects: Accurate baseline land records will streamline acquisition processes for future railway expansion projects such as additional lines, stations, and freight corridors.