Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said the vacant land is mostly in the form of narrow strips along tracks, which is required for servicing and maintenance of track and other infrastructure.
The vacant land is also utilised for execution of various infrastructural projects for meeting future growth need of Railways and include projects like doubling, traffic facilities, rail coach and component factories.
"The vacant land, which is not required by Railways for its immediate operational needs, is utilised for commercial development, wherever feasible, in order to mobilise additional financial resources through Rail Land Development Authority," he said during Question Hour.
"Regular measures are taken to protect railway land from encroachment which include licensing of land to Railway employees for grow more food scheme etc., provision of boundary wall, tree plantation at vulnerable locations," he said.