Dist admn and Railway reps meet affected landowners

GANGTOK, 27 Aug: A meeting between the District Administration [East], North East Frontier Railway executing agency, IRCON International Limited, and representatives of land owners of the proposed project site of the Sevoke-Rangpo Railway line of Khani Khola, Rangpo was held at District Administration Centre conference hall today.
After a thorough discussion on various issues raised by all sides, the representatives of the land owners decided to convene a meeting with the people of the area on 02 September [Sunday] to convince them to allow the survey on the new finalized alignment in the proposed area from 10 September onwards. It is informed that during the survey, the company representatives will also be accompanied by officials from concerned government departments and DAC [East].
The meeting was also attended by the Minister Neeru Sewa, who is also the area MLA, Transport Department Secretary, Tsegyal Tashi, District Collector [East], D Anandan, SDM [East], Dr AB Karki and representatives of land owners.
The DC informed that after the laying of the foundation stone in Rangpo in 2009, the executing company had approached the district administration for land acquisition but following protest from the affected people of the area the whole process was totally stopped. He further informed that a committee of the land owners was also formed and different issues and aspects of the project were discussed. The administration had asked the railways to look into the matter again.
The DC informed that after working out the latest railway alignment this meeting has been called to inform the people about the same. He mentioned that the administration intends to acquire as little of private land as possible for this project. He pointed out that due to objections raised by the people on conducting a survey the whole project has been pending from the Sikkim side.
The DC urged the people to allow for survey first to have a clearer picture of the affected land. He stated that even the administration has been requesting for lesser acquisition of private land.
IRCON International Limited General Manager, KK Gupta gave a brief presentation on the construction of Sevoke-Rangpo New Broad Gauge Rail line project. He informed that the work of alignment design was awarded to an international consultant, GEODATA of Italy, WHICH, after satellite survey, suggested seven corridors for this project. He further informed that out of these seven suggested corridors the best and most suitable was finalized.
The General Manager also presented the salient features and other technical details of the project.
He mentioned that till date only satellite survey of the area has been done and a clear picture can be arrived at only after a physical survey.
During the meeting, land owners of the proposed project site raised various queries, grievances and issues in the meeting. On the same, the GM assured full cooperation to the people and to take them into the confidence in the work.
The Minister mentioned that the State government has been working on sorting out the connectivity problem for the state and this railway line will help address this issue along with supporting further developmental activities in the state. However, she stated that without the people’s support, the government cannot do anything.
The Minister clarified that the survey is only the initial phase and land acquisition would follow thereafter. She urged the people to let the survey be conducted in order to get a clear picture and also added that the centre has been enquiring on the delay in the project. The area MLA also extended her help and support to the people.