Railways to bid for auction of Rohtas Industries' land

New Delhi, Dec 5 (UNI) In a trend-setting move, the Railway Ministry has decided to bid for the auction of Rohtas Industries in Bihar, lying sick for over two decades, as part of its plan to develop Rohas district as a logistics hub and major industrial centre under the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project.

Ministry sources today said the General Manager of East Central Railway had been directed to submit a petition in the Patna High Court, seeking grant of time to enable the Railways participate in the auction bid.

The auction for 220 acres of land, locked in the sick Rohtas Industries, is slated to take place on Thursday. The base price for the auction has been fixed at Rs 125 crore.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has instructed the officials of the East Central Railway to file a petition in the court, showing its interest in the auction bid and extending the date of auction.

The sources said the petition of the Railway Ministry would be based on the contention that time would be needed for seeking approval of the government and Parliament for the plan.

''It is felt that this property will be usefulfor setting up of various facilities required in connection with the Dedicated Freight Corridor. The Railway Board has decided that railway should acquire this land for this purpose,'' a letter from the Board to the General Manager, East Central Railway, stated.

The Railway Ministry would be submitting formal application for the acquisition after obtaining necessary approval, the letter said.

''Rohtas lies along the proposed Eastern Section of the Dedicated Freight Corridor, and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is keen to develop the area on the lines of Howrah industrial hub by setting up logistics park, container deport and industries,'' the sources said.

UNI/SKS VD KP1756