Bathinda: A day after Union minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced a project to link Takhat Damdama Sahib, farmers of the affected villages have declined to give their land for laying tracks. Nearly two dozen farmers on Saturday announced to oppose the land acquisition process if the central or the state govt tried to acquire land by using force.Some of the affected farmers even raised questions over the 42 km long project, terming it a politically motivated action aiming to please the Sikh community. They stated that Bangi railway station is only 8 km from Takhat Sahib, and that station could be converted into a railway station with a spiritual look. “The railway station proposed to be constructed at Talwandi Sabo is nearly 6 km from Takhat Sahib,” said one farmer. Gurusar Jaga village ex sarpanch Bhag Singh and Fatehgarh Nauabad village farmer Gurpartap Singh on Saturday said that when the survey was being carried out for demarcating land, they opposed it and met Ravneet Singh Bittu, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Bathinda DC and the railway officials. “We were assured that our demands would be considered. But now they have come up with the proposal of acquiring our lands. We will not allow our lands to be acquired,” they said. “If the land is acquired, it will bifurcate our holding, which will turn it useless,” they said. Singh Bittu on Friday said the central govt has sanctioned the 42 km long rail link with Rs 1118 crore, with which all the five Takhats will be linked to the railway. MSID: 129716016 413 |
