Rudy seeks farmers' support for rail project

Chhapra: Union minister of state for skill development Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Friday assured the farmers of Piparpurwa village in Saran district of conveying their grievances to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. Several acres of cultivated land of Piparpurwa farmers have been acquired for the establishment of rail diesel factory at Tal Puraina Chawar. The land losers have been demanding payment of compensation at the rate of Rs 40 lakh per katha.
Rudy said as per government's new land acquisition rule (2013), the farmers are eligible to get compensation at the rate of Rs 40 lakh per katha on the pattern of payment made at Madhepur.
Rudy requested the farmers not to oppose the establishment of the rail factory as it would usher in development in the area. "The rail factory proposal had been included in the 2006 budget, but it could not materialise due to unknown reasons. The Modi government has revived the project and the farmers should extend their support to it," Rudy said.
He added that the US-based General Electric Company (GEC) would develop the factory at its own cost. "The government of India would have to purchase the engines produced by this factory. As per the agreement, GEC would bear the maintenance cost of the engines produced in this factory and bought by the railways for 10 years," he said.
Earlier, the minister launched 'Namami Gange' project at Sonepur. Speaking on the occasion, he said of the Rs 20,000 crore sanctioned by the Centre for the project, Rs 1,500 crore would be spent to clean the Ganga between Sonepur and Revelganj in Saran district. "The mud ghats would be converted into cemented ones and some new ghats would also come up," Rudy added.