New Delhi, Delhi
Who owns the largest amount of land in India? The answer may be quite different from common perception. When discussing India’s wealthiest people, names such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and the Tata Group often come up. However, when it comes to land ownership, no private industrialist ranks at the top. The Government of India is considered the country’s largest landowner.
According to available figures, various ministries, departments and public-sector undertakings of the Government of India collectively hold around 15,531 square kilometres of land. Among government institutions, the Ministry of Defence is also a major landholder. Including land used for military cantonments, firing ranges, defence establishments and other purposes, the Ministry of Defence is reported to hold more than 1.8 million acres of land.
### Indian Railways Also Owns Vast Tracts of Land
Indian Railways is among the country’s major landowners. Its land holdings include areas used for railway tracks, stations, railway colonies and other railway-related properties. Available figures put the Railways’ land holdings at around 1.18 million acres.
### Waqf Boards and Churches Are Also Major Landholders
Among religious institutions, Waqf boards are reported to hold a significant amount of land. Across the country, land associated with mosques, madrasas, cemeteries and other properties is claimed to exceed 800,000 acres.
Institutions associated with the Catholic Church also own various properties, including churches, schools, colleges and hospitals. However, ownership of these properties may be divided among different church institutions, trusts and organizations.
### Godrej and Sahara in the Private Sector
In the corporate sector, the Godrej Group is often listed among major private landowners. The group is reported to own around 3,400 acres in Mumbai’s Vikhroli area. Given Mumbai’s high property values, such a large land holding is considered significant.
Sahara India has also been reported to have a substantial land bank across the country for various projects and townships. According to claims made by the company, its land holdings have exceeded around 33,000 acres.
### DLF and Tata Also Feature on the List
Real estate company DLF has significant land holdings and land banks in Delhi, Haryana and other parts of India. The company has also played an important role in the development of Gurugram.
The Tata Group owns or holds land associated with industrial facilities, tea estates and townships such as Jamshedpur across the country. The nature of these properties varies by location and may involve ownership or lease arrangements.
In addition, the Mumbai Port Trust is reported to hold around 2,330 acres of land in important areas of South Mumbai.
Overall, India’s land ownership landscape is not limited to billionaires and private corporations. Government institutions, defence establishments, Indian Railways, religious organizations and major corporate groups collectively hold vast amounts of land across the country.
However, land figures can vary depending on the source, date and method of calculation. The legal nature of ownership can also differ, with some properties being owned outright while others are held on lease or under different legal arrangements. Therefore, these figures should be viewed in their proper context.
