Nandigram in East Midnapur, where a land war was fought by Trinamool Congress against the setting up of a chemical hub in 2007, was put on the railway map on Saturday 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.