**Subject: Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2865 Regarding NOCs for Residents of Kannur**
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2865, addressed on August 6, 2025, concerning No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for residents living in railway buffer zones, particularly in Kannur. The question raised concerns about delays in obtaining NOCs for house construction and public infrastructure projects, despite the submission of required documents.
The Minister clarified that Indian Railways has a detailed procedure for granting NOCs for construction/redevelopment within 30 meters of the railway boundary, designed to ensure train safety, prevent encroachment, and protect railway land interests. The Railway division of the respective area serves as the single window system for receiving NOC applications. The NOC is issued after document examination, including land title, structural drawings, and stability certificates, forwarded by State Govt/Local authorities. The stipulated time limit for granting an NOC is 60 days. Delays may occur due to incomplete documentation submitted by applicants.
Specifically, regarding Kannur, nine (09) applications for NOCs have been received over the past five years. Of these, four (04) have been approved, while the remaining applications were either returned or rejected due to incomplete information.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the railways in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
SHRI K SUDHAKARAN: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha regarding NOCs in Kannur.
Kannur, Kerala: A city in Kerala, India, from where complaints regarding delays in obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been received.
No Objection Certificate (NOC): A legal document required for construction or redevelopment within a specified distance of railway boundaries.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, who provided the answer to the question.
Indian Railways: The state-owned railway company of India.
Single Window Clearance System: A proposed system for expedited processing of NOC applications in railway buffer zones.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2865
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
NOC FOR RESIDENTS OF KANNUR
2865. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has received complaints from residents living
in railway buffer zone areas particularly from Kannur, regarding long
delays in obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for house
construction and public infrastructure works, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is a fact that even after submission of all required
documents NOC applications are kept pending for several months without
action or communication from the concerned railway authorities and if so,
the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has taken note of the hardship caused to
affected individuals, if so, the details along with the adverse impact on
essential public projects due to such delays;
(d) whether the Government proposes to introduce a time-bound,
transparent Single Window Clearance System for expedited processing of
NOC applications in railway buffer zones; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the expected timeline for
implementation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e) : Indian Railways has issued a detailed procedure for granting
'No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ for construction / redevelopment of
..2/--2-
Government and private buildings on land within 30 m of railway boundary
to ensure safety of train during construction period, safeguarding
Railway's interest to prevent encroachment and non-accrual of easement
rights on railway land.
The Railway division of the respective area is the single window system
for receiving of NOC or construction/ redevelopment of Government and
private buildings.
Railway issues NOC on the application of the party duly forwarded by
State Govt/Local authorities after examining the documents which
includes clear title of land, detailed structure drawings, structural stability
certifcate, etc. The time limit for granting NOC has been kept 60 days.
NOC sometimes gets delayed due to submission of incomplete documents
by the applicants.
In Kannur, nine (09) applications have been received for issue of NOC over
the past five years, out of which four (04) cases have been approved and
other cases were either returned back or rejected due to incomplete
information submitted by applicants.
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