Railways will not forcibly acquire land from owners for laying new lines, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday.
"I have steered a movement for land. I know the problems of the people. Railways will not forcibly acquire land for laying new lines and instead negotiate with land owners," she said, while laying foundation stone for construction of the new Machlandpur-Swarupnagar line at Machlandpur in North 24 Parganas district.
"Railways will also provide employment to one member of each family who give land for new railway lines," Banerjee said.
Criticising the LF government for "failing" to bring development, she said besides laying new lines, a number of railway wagon and coach factories were being set up in West Bengal.
"We work for the people and development and for the party and we will continue to do it," she said.