The Cabinet meeting presided over by Bhattacharjee, approved the Land and Land Reforms department’s proposal that 222 acres be acquired for the construction of railway tracks from Bargachia in Howrah to Chapadanga in Hooghly. The state government will bear one-third of the total acquisition cost. Following the decision, the district magistrates will be empowered to acquire the said land by using the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

Land Reforms Minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah said the state Cabinet has taken the decision following a proposal from the Railways, according to which, it required 476 acres in two phases. While the Cabinet has given approval to acquire 222 acres for the first phase, the rest will be acquired later.

“Most of the land proposed for acquisition is fertile farmland, but we should acquire it as it is mandatory to acquire land for government projects,” said Mollah.

Reacting to the Cabinet decision, Purnendu Bose, president of the Mamata Banerjee-led Krishijomi Raksha Committee (Save Farmland Committee) said the Trinamool Congress is still against acquiring land from unwilling farmers.

“We would not have any objection if farmers sell their land willingly. Our leader Mamata Banerjee has already made it clear that Railways projects would not come up if farmers are unwilling to give their land. If required, the Railway track can change its direction,” said Bose.

According to sources in the Land department, the ministry has already submitted its plans for the acquisition. In the plan, it has mentioned in detail the name of mouzas and the state land department has also approved the blueprint. “Can it be changed whimsically?” asked a senior official.