Marhaura poll talk: Loco factory, land and Lalu

IT MAY TAKE YEARS BEFORE THE MARHAURA FACTORY STARTS, BUT IT HAS ALREADY BROUGHT A WINDFALL TO FOUR ADJOINING VILLAGES

CHAPRA: The announcement to build a diesel locomotive factory in Bihar’s Marhaura in 2006 raised hopes for the people of the area, where perennial flooding had turned low-lying areas into a swampland.

It may take years before the Marhaura plant starts, but it has already brought a windfall to four villages whose land was acquired in 2008-09. Villagers gave credit to RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who was Railways minister around the time the factory was announced, for their new-found prosperity.

This Yadav bastion, which votes on October 28, was represented by RJD’s Jitendra Rai in the last five years. Rai defeated JD(U)’s Lal Babu Rai in 2010. Now that the two parties have joined hands, the BJPled NDA is fighting a combined Yadav force.

“The land used to cost barely `2,000 a ‘katha’ till the government decided to acquire it for the factory. The government’s rate in Marhaura, part of the assembly seat by the same name, was `38,6000 a ‘katha’ in 2008-09. Once the factory starts, land in the surrounding areas will also fetch a good price,” said Rajendra Mahto, a 48-year-old farmer.

With every politician promising development, poll talk revolves around the factory and land here.

“Fifteen acres of my land was acquired for the project. The money I got helped me construct a house and ensure my children’s education,” said Ramesh Rai, a 37-year-old villager.

The factory will require 1,220 acres, of which just 326 acres have been acquired so far. But there is no alarm in Marhaura as the majority of villagers, irrespective of caste and creed, are willing to part with more land in the “hope of big returns”. Their stand contradicts the view that farmers are averse to giving land for industrial projects, especially in the wake of the NDA government’s push for land reforms.

Farmer Harnath Singh has a note of caution, though.

“The land acquisition did add to Marhaura’s growth but the slow pace in building the factory remains a disappointment. Nearly 20% payment for the land given for the factory is still due and we want to be paid in accordance with the current rate,” he said.

The new-found prosperity didn’t go to the head of Dinesh Rai, who gave 30 acres for the factory and still rides a bicycle.

“We are fortunate that the then government left our fertile land and acquired only waterlogged land,” he said, crediting Prasad for bringing the rail factory to the impoverished area.