Acharia for improvement of law and order to complete projects

Guwahati, Nov 7 (UNI) Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways Basudev Acharia today stressed the need for strengthening security in and around the railway work sites for gauge conversion projects to ensure timely completion.

Addressing reporters here after visiting the construction sites in N C Hills district today, Mr Acharia said the works were progressing well till the militants issued threat to the contractors forcing them to abandon the work.

''The situation became even worse when 11 persons were killed by the militants in the hill district. Workers have left their work sites and contractors were also hesitating to resume work without proper security,'' he said.

He said the committee would recommend monetary compensation and additional increment for the workers and employees deployed for the construction in the troubled areas.

He said the matter has been taken up by the state government for adequate security and he would urge the Centre to deploy army to check militant movements in the construction areas.

''If work has to complete by March, 2009, proper security has to be provided. The longest tunnel is 3 km and only 10 per cent of the work has been completed,'' he pointed out.

He said there was no shortage of funds to complete the ongoing projects and the committee would recommend allotment of more funds in the next budget.

The MP said, ''The Railways should overlook the minimum 14 per cent return norm and sanction projects in the region if the return was estimated at 6 to 7 per cent annually and even with negative return to ensure a speedy development of the area.

''The Railways has estimated a profit of Rs 20,000 crore this year and a sizeable amount from it could be allotted for extension of railway network in the region,'' he said.

Replying to queries, he also assured to recommend the construction of the proposed fifth bridge over Brahmaputra near the existing one at Guwahati as a rail-cum-road bridge.

UNI XC MT JYN/ YA VV1923