Nandigram (WB): Nandigram in East Midnapur,
where a land war was fought by Trinamool Congress against the
setting up of a chemical hub in 2007, was on Saturday put on the
railway map by Railway minister Mamata Banerjee with a project
that will affect seven to eight families.
Inaugurating the work on the Rs 121.44 crore project for
17-km Nandigra-Deshpran railway line between Contai and Digha
in the district, Banerjee, Trinanmool Congress chief, said
"Nandigram is a big chapter in my life.
"Railway connectivity is very important for development
of any region. My aim is to improve connectivity of Nandigram.
With this Nandigram, whose people suffered a great deal, will
be connected with the rest of the country," Banerjee said.
Reitrating that the Railways would not use force to
acquire land, she said only small stretches beside tracks
needed to be acquired from those who were willing to do so.
"Houses of seven to eight families will be affected for
the new line. New houses will be constructed and if necessary
railway jobs will be given to those displaced," she said.
She asked the South Eastern Railway General Manager A P
Mishra to ensure that work was completed within one and half
years.
She also said a computerised reservation centre would be
set up at Nandigram on February 13.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 30, 2010, 19:33