Rlys' land acquisition rules will be altered: Mamata

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she had already altered the land acquisition template of the Indian Railways in a bid to ensure no land was forcefully acquired for projects undertaken by her ministry.

“I have personally made an amendment to the land acquisition rules of the Railways a month ago so that forceful acquisitions do not take place,” Banerjee said, without divulging the details of the amendment or the Act to which it was made.

However, sources indicated that the Banerjee, along with the rail board, were likely to have approved changes in the Railways Act (1989). “But, after the amendment is approved, it might have to go through Parliament before it is enforced,” the source said.

Slighting the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led West Bengal government for its dispute-ridden land acquisition attempts in the state, Banerjee said her ministry would walk the extra mile to avoid discord among land-losers in railway projects.

“Unlike Singur and Nandigram, we will not acquire large tracts of land forcefully. We will only take what we require from those who are willing to part with their land. If people are unwilling, we will change the tracks and look at alternative routes,” Banerjee said at a ceremony in Amta, near Kolkata.