Siliguri, 25th February: The construction work of the railway line at Sivok-Rangpo by the Railway Department under the Sivok-Rangpo rail project has commenced. However, the railway project has angered some local NGOs along with the local people of Gram Panchayat 1 and 2 of the Kalimpong block.
It has been alleged that trees and soil are being removed illegally under the project, in which, the GTA administration is involved along with the Central and the State Government. The locals and the members of the NGOs have alleged that the railway is conducting the construction work by violating the rules of the forest department. To stop the construction work of the Railways, a complaint has been lodged at the Kolkata High Court Circuit Bench by the locals and the NGOs.
It has been reported that the residents of 24 villages have been facing problems due to the construction work of the railways. The locals believe that the railway is conducting such works to remove the local people from the area. The local people have demanded that the Railway Department should conduct its work under the rules of the Forest Department rules so that the common people face no problem. The complaint lodged at the Kolkata Circuit Bench is to be heard on March 2. The locals are hoping that the court will give a verdict in this regard then.