45K acres of defence land identified as surplus: Ministry

In a move that can unlock high-value urban and semi-urban lands across the country, the Ministry of Defence has said that 45,906 acres of defence lands have been identified as ‘surplus’. It has asked the central departments to see if any of them needs these lands.

The ministry, in a written reply in Lok Sabha, today said, "Around 45,906 acres of vacant defence land has been identified that is surplus to the requirements of the armed forces".

The details of these lands have been circulated to the other Central Government Departments for ascertaining their requirements.

Giving out state wise details the Ministry said 817 acres of land in Delhi has been identified as surplus. Himachal Pradesh , Haryana and Punjab have 2381, 833 and 1714 acres of defence lands, respectively , declared as surplus.

The hill state of Uttrakhand has a whipping 8693 acres as surplus and Rajasthan has 2091 acres

Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have 877, 8840 and 6781, acres respectively.

The ministry said any other lands, which may appear unused are meant for training, mobilization practice, constructions as per Key Location Plans (KLP) and construction of accommodation for the Armed Forces. The MoD has around 18 lakh acres of land across the country, about 11, 152 acres is under encroachment.