Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 9 FEB: The Eastern Railway’s ambitious project to construct a new railway line stretching 15 kilometers from Navadwipghat to Navadwipdham, a vital undertaking aimed at bolstering connectivity and transportation infrastructure in West Bengal, has hit a roadblock. Despite completing the construction of a crucial railway bridge over the Hooghly River, progress has been stymied by complications in land acquisition.
With a significant investment of Rs 164.20 crore allocated for the construction of the bridge alone, the project’s success hinges upon the completion of both the bridge and its connecting road. However, the process has been hampered by challenges in acquiring the necessary land, comprising 264.067 acres of cultivable, private, and government-owned land.
Efforts to address the issue began in earnest, with discussions held with the District Magistrate of Nadia on 9 November,2023, followed by a subsequent meeting with the Additional District Magistrate/Land Acquisition/Nadia on 24 November, 2023. Subsequently, on 4 December, 2023, survey and land boundary measurement work commenced.
However, the promising start was short-lived as the work ground to a halt within two days due to obstruction from local residents. Despite ongoing discussions with local authorities, a viable solution has yet to be reached, resulting in a standstill in the project’s progress.
In response to inquiries regarding the matter, Mr. S Arun Prasad, the District Magistrate of Nadia, acknowledged the challenges posed by local residents. “Local people demanded to know the exact terms and conditions of the land acquisition,” stated Mr. Prasad. “The implementing agency is currently preparing these, and the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Nabadwip will convene a meeting in the next week with all stakeholders to resolve the matter. We hope that it will be resolved soon.”
The impasse underscores the complexities involved in large-scale infrastructure projects and the importance of effective communication and collaboration between all stakeholders. As efforts continue to overcome the hurdles, the Eastern Railway remains committed to realizing the project’s objectives and enhancing connectivity in the region, said a senior railway official.
Tags: #LandAcquisition #Nabadwipghat #Nabadwipdham #Nabadwip #EasternRailway
