The Supreme Court on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, directed officials in Uttarakhand and the State Legal Services Authority to organise special camps for people living near the railway tracks in Haldwani. The purpose of these camps is to help nearly 50,000 residents apply for housing and rehabilitation benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme.
The case relates to more than 30 hectares of public land that has been occupied for many years. The Railways are now reclaiming this land for infrastructure development projects. As a result, around 5,000 families may have to leave the area where they have been living for nearly 50 years.
The Supreme Court said that the authorities must ensure that eligible families are properly informed about government housing schemes and are given assistance in submitting their applications. The court stressed that the rehabilitation process should be carried out in a fair and humane manner.
The dispute between the Railways and the State authorities on one side, and the occupants on the other, has been going on for a long time. Residents have argued that they have lived there for decades and should not be evicted without proper rehabilitation. On the other hand, the Railways have stated that the land belongs to them and is needed for development and safety reasons.
By directing officials to conduct camps, the court aims to balance infrastructure development with the need to protect the rights and welfare of affected families. Further hearings in the case are expected after authorities report back on the progress of rehabilitation efforts.