Speaker Ghimire pledges swift action to address issues of East-West Rail Project-affected

Jhapa, Sept 27: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has pledged to take prompt initiations to address issues of those affected by the proposed East-West Electric Rail Project along the Kakarvitta-Inaruwa section.     

Receiving a memorandum from the Railway Affected and Compensation Coordination Committee at Birtamod today, the Speaker said this.     

Terming the demands put forth by the affected community genuine, he vowed to take immediate steps to address them. "Once I get back to Kathmandu, I will sit for discussions with respective lawmakers on this matter and take time to draw the attention of the Prime Minister and the government towards this end."     

Committee Koshi Province coordinator Dr Laxmi Prasad Mainali led the delegation that called on the Speaker, seeking latter's attention towards the problems they are facing due to the railway project.     

Committee general secretary Ranjit Prasai requested the Speaker to own up their issues as he is like their guardian and help them get their demands addressed.     

Under the proposed East-West Electric Railway project, land demarcation has been already completed in Jhapa and Sunsari while it is awaited in Morang.     

The government has, through the inland revenue offices in three districts, suspended the transactions of 2,457 plots of land in Jhapa, 1,638 in Morang and 1,329 in Sunsari: 5,424 in total, for the project, Prasai said.     

The Rail Department reports that over 4,000 structures, including houses, along the Kakarvitta-Inaruwa section, will be affected by the project implementation.     

The affected communities have complained that they face practical difficulties in their daily lives and have been deprived of the use of their own property. (RSS)