South Eastern Railway (SER) has so far paid Rs 6 crore as compensation to those who have offered their lands to facilitate the construction of the 18.5-km-long Deshapran-Nandigram railway line estimated to cost Rs 121 crore.
The line, likely to be ready for operation some time in 2013, will connect Nandigram with Singur. Out of 195 acres needed for the project, about 110 acres have been acquired so far, according to SER sources.
The process of acquisition of the balance 85 acres or so is on, they said. The land is being acquired under the Railways (amendment) Act 2008.
In addition to monetary compensation, SER, in accordance with the declared policy of the Indian Railways, will provide one job in the Group D category to each family of land losers.
It has so far received 412 applications from job seekers from as many families of land losers. Of these, 196 have been found eligible and 113 of them have been issued appointment letters.
The others will be issued letters on completion of various formalities. Another 26, though prima facie found eligible for jobs, could not be issued appointment letters as they are yet to attain 18 years, the minimum age for a government job, the sources added.