In Mumbai, railways pull out lush views

With policing ruled out, the railways decided sometime in the 1970s to lease out the land to its own employees to till. Mumbai’s lush urban farms are a direct result of this policy.

Under the rules, only class IV employees are eligible for the land, which can be leased for a nominal amount of Rs 1,100/acre and an equal security deposit. The employee can grow any vegetable on this land by spending his own money and, of course, reap the profits of market prices.

‘‘We get around Rs 2 lakh per year from this land,’’ CR officials said, adding that they had leased out 250 acres of land in Mumbai and its suburbs. But money, they hasten to add, is not an issue with them at all: They’re just happy the scheme has worked so well to stave off encroachment.

There are plenty of profits for the lessees as well. ‘‘I’ve employed two-three people to work on my farm, since Saturday, my off-day, is the only time I can devote to it. But even after paying their wages and the rent, it makes for a profitable business,’’ says Ali, a senior khalasi (peon) in the divisional railway manager’s office, who leased five acres of land near the Curry Road station more than 20 years ago.

‘‘We buy the seeds, sow them, tend the plants, water them, cut them and sell them in the market. It calls for a lot of expenditure also, including diesel for the water-pump,’’ he adds.

Despite the occasional grumble, though, not too many can find fault with the deal. And, best of all, it leaves the commuter smiling.