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Bareilly: A major urban redevelopment project is set to change the landscape of Bareilly's Shyamganj-Shahdana area, where nearly 100 bighas of land linked to a more than 100-year-old meter-gauge railway line will be developed into a residential and commercial project.
The land, which remained largely unused after the railway line was closed decades ago and later faced encroachments, has now been leased by the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) to an agency for 90 years . The proposed development includes around 350 residential flats and 50 commercial buildings/units .
Road construction and electricity-related work has already started at the project site. However, the project is currently awaiting the required RERA clearance , following an earlier objection raised by the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA).
Bareilly railway land redevelopment: What is planned
The redevelopment of the old railway land is expected to create a new residential and commercial hub in a centrally located part of Bareilly.
| Project detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Shyamganj-Shahdana, Bareilly |
| Land area | Around 100 bighas |
| Land authority | Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) |
| Lease period | 90 years |
| Residential development | Around 350 flats |
| Commercial development | Around 50 commercial buildings/units |
| Railway line | More than 100-year-old meter-gauge line |
| Current status | Road and electricity work underway; RERA process pending |
The project is particularly significant because the land is located within the city and was once associated with an important railway route connecting the Shyamganj area with Model Town and Izzatnagar .
From timber trade route to redevelopment project
The Shyamganj area was historically an important market and timber trading centre. A meter-gauge railway line was established there around a century ago to support the movement of goods.
A warehouse was also developed in the area, while goods, including timber, were transported through the railway network to different parts of the country via Izzatnagar.
The route also had a connection with the Babu train , which operated between Shyamganj, Izzatnagar and Bareilly Junction.
The railway line was eventually closed in 1990-91 . Following its closure, the railway land and adjoining areas remained vulnerable to encroachment.
Encroachments were removed before redevelopment
The redevelopment plan began taking shape around four years ago following efforts by the district administration and the Railways to find a productive use for the vacant railway land.
The project was subsequently entrusted to the RLDA , which leased around 100 bighas to an agency for a 90-year period for residential and commercial development.
One of the major hurdles was clearing the encroachments from the railway property.
In February 2026 , the Railways, with assistance from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police , removed encroachments from the site and fenced the land.
Road construction was also taken up as part of the development process.
BDA objection delayed the project
The project later faced a regulatory hurdle when the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) raised an objection in March over construction in the urban area.
The objection brought construction activity to a halt and the matter subsequently reached the High Court .
According to the project developer's representative, the court-related matter has now been resolved. The project has since moved into the regulatory process with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) .
This means that although initial infrastructure work has started, the residential project should not be treated as fully approved or ready for possession until the necessary regulatory clearances are completed.
Road and electricity work already underway
Despite the regulatory process, preliminary infrastructure work has started at the site.
Road construction and electricity line work are currently underway, indicating that preparations for the proposed residential and commercial development are progressing.
The project is expected to transform a long-unused railway property into a planned development with housing and commercial space once all required approvals are obtained.
Why the Bareilly redevelopment project matters
The project could have a wider impact on urban development in Bareilly because it seeks to put a large parcel of centrally located railway land to productive use.
The proposed 350 flats could add new housing stock in an established part of the city, while the 50 commercial units/buildings could create space for shops, offices and other business activities.
Redevelopment of the site could also improve the surrounding area by replacing an underutilised and previously encroached property with planned infrastructure.
At the same time, the final availability, pricing, booking process and other details of the proposed flats and commercial properties will depend on the project's development and regulatory approvals.
What happens next
The immediate focus is on completing the required RERA process and taking the project forward after regulatory clearance.
Meanwhile, road and power infrastructure work is progressing at the site. Once the necessary approvals are in place, construction of the proposed residential and commercial buildings can move ahead according to the project's development plan.
For prospective homebuyers and investors, it is important to note that the reports currently confirm the planned development of 350 flats and 50 commercial units/buildings , but do not provide confirmed sale prices, booking dates, flat sizes, eligibility conditions or an official public application schedule.
The redevelopment therefore represents an important step in the urban transformation of Bareilly , converting a historic railway property that has remained unused for decades into a proposed residential and commercial destination.
