Amta (West Bengal), Jan 4 : A member each of the families giving their lands or homesteads for railway projects would be given jobs in addition to compensation, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said here Monday.

"If anybody gives his land or homestead for our projects, one member of the family will be given jobs in the railways. For this, we have amended the relevant land acquisition act a month back," Banerjee said after laying the foundation for the Howrah-Amta broadgauge line.

Banerjee said the railways will never take land forcibly from people for its projects. "This is not our policy."

She said the 16-km broadgauge project would entail a total expenditure of Rs. 103.3 crore.

Two halt stations will come up on the route and the project will also lead to economic development of the area, she said.

Banerjee said the work for the Deshapran-Nandigram line will be launched on Jan 30, the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi.

She said the new sea resort of Mandarmoni in East Midnapore district would also be connected by rail. (IANS)