Title - Mizoram rail project runs into graves

The extension of railway line from Bairabi to Sairang in Mizoram has run into yet another hurdle, this time from graves.

It is not the dead people actually who have created fresh hurdle, but their living relatives.

Families of those who had been buried in the grave where the railway line will pass through have refused to accept compensation of Rs 15,000 for each grave offered by the government, and demanded Rs 5 lakh each.

Formed into a thlanhlui (old graves) committee, the 195 families have threatened to go to court if the government fails to pay the demanded amount.

The concerned Kolasib district deputy commissioner Niharika Rai said that Rs 15,000 is the rate fixed by the government for one grave damaged.

But the families argued that Rs 15,000 is too meagre for reconstruction of one grave.

The Bairabi-Sairang (Sihhmui) railway line will be 51 km long, covering 40 km within Kolasib district and 11 km within Aizawl district.

Rs 2,380 crore has been earmarked for completion of the project and this amount is estimated to cover all the expenses for railway lines, tunnels, bridges and even compensation.

Besides previously proposed stations at Bairabi, Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, Sairang (Sihhmui), Khamrang village has asked for the same, matter of which is being decided.

The railway line will be a broad gauge one but care has been taken not to disturb the water reservoir at Bairabi, officials said.

The railway project, scheduled to be completed by 2014, has earlier faced problems regarding land compensation and forest clearance