Revenue dept reclaims Rs 20,325cr worth encroached land

CHENNAI: Over the past four years, the revenue department recovered 35,654 acres of encroached govt land, valued at Rs 20,325 crore, similar to the ongoing action initiated by the Hindu religious and charitable endowments department.

Indian Railways did not provide funds for 943.91 hectares out of the requested 2,197.02 hectares, hindering the acquisition process, according to revenue administration and disaster management minister K K S S R Ramachandran.

The state managed to acquire 91% of the remaining 1,253 hectares needed for railway projects, completing acquisition on 1,144.84 hectares. The funding shortfall affects three specific projects. They include the Tiruvannamalai-Tindivanam new broad-gauge line, the Tuticorin-Madurai via Aruppukottai new broad gauge line phase II, and the Gati Shakti Multimodal cargo terminal. While administrative approval exists, fund allocation remains pending for these projects.

“We are speeding up land acquisition for the railway and highway projects. They (Railways) give orders for this town and that town. Fund is needed if land is to be acquired. We acquire land for those projects for which funds were received,” Ramachandran said.

The state govt established monitoring committees at the divisional, district, and state levels to streamline the identification, reporting, and monitoring of encroachment evictions from water bodies and other govt land. This single-point system aims to improve efficiency in reclaiming encroached land. Ramachandran said the govt is actively working to repurpose reclaimed land from the Madras Race Club, Agri-Horticultural Society, and Ooty Racecourse for public benefit.

The state handed over land for the expansion of Madurai and Tuticorin airports. “About 460 acres out of identified 468 acres for Coimbatore airport expansion, have also been handed over,” the minister said, detailing the complexities of acquisition and the increasing costs associated with it.

The revenue department is currently acquiring 50,015 acres under various acts, including the Industrial Purposes Act, for diverse projects throughout the state.