Rail Land Development Authority is a statutory Authority, under the Ministry of Railways, set-up by an Amendment to the Railways Act, 1989. It is responsible for the development of vacant Railway Land for commercial use for the purpose of generating revenue by non-tariff measures and creating assets for Indian Railways. This government authority’s mission is to be a ‘leader in creating value through redevelopment of Land and Air spaces – residential, commercial and transportation hubs. RLDA’s expenses are met out of grants provided by Indian Railways. The entire earnings generated from development of railway land is transferred by RLDA to Indian Railways. The IndianPlanning Commission has computed an approximate budget of around Rs 20,272 billion for the development of infrastructure nationally during the 11th plan period. Out of this budget the Railways has an anticipated requirement of Rs 2800 billion. 83 % of this requirement is supposed to be met through the public sector investment. The Indian Railways, in order to generate the remaining investment required to meet the above mentioned budget set up the Rail Land Development Authority on November 1st, 2006. Ved Prakash Dudeja a 1986 batch IRSE officer is Vice Chairman of RLDA. He joined RLDA on 7th April 2019. Currently, RLDA is working on four type of projects:
Commercial Projects
Multi-functional Complex
Colony Redevelopment
Station development
Purpose
Indian Railways has approximately 43,000 hectares of vacant land. Land which is not required for operational purposes in the foreseeable future will be identified by the zonal railways and the details will be advised to the Railway Board. Such plots of land would then be handed over to the RLDA by the Railway Board in phases for commercial development.
By monetization of Land Parcels, Railways will be earning 100% non-tariff earnings at no cost either by getting Upfront Lease Premium or by asset formation in the form of Railway Colonies/Railway Stations. By development of Railway Stations/MFCs, better facilities are being provided to Railway Passengers without any investment on the part of Railways. Initially RLDA was entrusted with 23 Railway Colonies in 2018 with the purpose to re-develop these depilated Railway colonies which were mostly single or double storied and covering huge areas, thus, there was poor utilization of FSI/FAR available for that particular land area. RLDA has already finalized various Architects for Feasibility/Do-ability study. Railway Colonies will be developed by efficient utilization of FSI/FAR, thus, creating Railway Colony in one small pocket of land and freeing the rest of the land for monetization which can be leased out to a potential developer which will be a potential earning to Railways in the form of Upfront Lease Premium as well as Development of Railway Colonies without any investment on the part of Railways. Recently, 61 more Railway Colonies have been entrusted to RLDA for Development on the same model. Approx. 25000 Staff Quarters will be re-constructed. A total of 123 MFCs were entrusted to RLDA for development. Out of these, 52 MFCs has been leased out for a lease period of 45 years to various developers PAN India for developing multiple facilities like shopping, food stalls/restaurants, Book Stalls, ATMs, Medicines and Budget Hotels, Parking Spaces and other similar amenities for Rail users at Railway Stations. Total revenue generation is approx. Rs. 500 Cr. which is the earnings of Railways. Out of the total 123 MFCs entrusted 33 MFCs have been advised to Railway Board for deferring and for approx. 13 MFCs alternative sites are being suggested by Railways and approx. tenders for 19 MFCs will be called shortly. Commercial / Residential Sites A total of 21 Commercial Sites leased out foe 45/99 years to various Developers with Realized/Expected revenue of approx. Rs. 1700 crores for Railways. Upfront lease premium Model through transparent E-bidding system is adopted. Approx. 55 more sites having approx. value of Rs. 7500 crores available for lease PAN India Some of the major Commercial sites which has been leased out are as follows:-
Ashok Vihar – The total earnings to Railways is Rs. 1359 Cr. against a reserve price of Rs. 1280 Crore. This is the major achievement of RLDA in the Current Year and the land use of this site is “Residential” and selected Developer M/s Godrej Properties will be developing this property for Smart and Healthy Living Places catering to a demand of mid and premium segment housing.
Other Major sites which have been leased out are Padi for a leased value of Rs. 43.0 Cr.,Hazari Bagh for a leased value of Rs. 47.88 Cr., Aish Bagh for a leased value of Rs. 57.67 Cr., Gwaltoli for a leased value of Rs. 66.70 Cr. Jhansi for a leased value of Rs. 30.66 Cr., Ayanavaram Part C for Rs 28 Cr, Amritsar Fo a lease Period of Rs.15.07Cr etc.
Re-Development of Railway Colonies
At present 84 Railway Colonies entrusted to RLDA for Re-development.
Approx. 25000 Staff Quarters to be Re-Constructed
Efficient Utilization of FSI/FAR to generate space.
The entire cost to be met by leveraging commercial development of released Railway Land /Air space
Upfront Lease Premium Model + Re-development of Railway Quarters
Re-development of Railway Stations
A total of 51 Railway Stations PAN India are being re-developed by RLDA on PPP Model, on Self Sustainable Model in synergy with Smart City Projects launched by Government of India. Entire cost of re-development to be met by leveraging commercial development of spare railway land/airspace in and around the station.
Multi-Functional Complex Sites
A total of 52 MFCs leased out for 45 years to various developers
Revenue generation of approx. Rs. 500 Crore to Railways
MFCs provide multiple facilities like shopping, food stalls/restaurants, Book stalls, ATMs, Medicines and Budget Hotels, parking spaces and other similar amenities for rail users at Railway Stations
