Inaugurating work on a rail line to link Nandigram and Deshpran at Nandigram in West Bengal's Purbo Medinipur district, Ms. Banerjee said: "Alignment [with the people] is necessary [for laying the track]. But I will never endorse forcible acquisition of land for the purpose."

Dedicated to people

Pointing out that seven houses would have to be demolished for laying the new track, she said railway authorities would rebuild them at a different location and also provide job to a member of each of the affected families.

Ms. Banerjee dedicated the rail project to the people of Nandigram many of whom, she claimed, lost their lives or homes during the movement against land acquisition for a chemical hub in Nandigram. She said one of the stations on the new route would be named after the "Nandigram martyrs."

The project would be completed within one-and-half-years.

Chemical hub

She said her party, the Trinamool Congress, was opposed to the proposal to set up a chemical hub on Nayachar island, nearby. It is citing environmental reasons.

* No to `tandav' industry

Source: The Hindu Mamata opens Nandigram rail line work