Unfazed by the Left’s criticism that the main thrust of her budget was privatisation, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the railways under her would take on privatisation projects without compromising the interests of its employees.

She said a number of projects are underway regarding the commercial use of railway land on the private-public partnership (PPP) model.

Talking to reporters on Saturday, Banerjee said, “Public-private partnership is required for carrying out development work as it is impossible for the government alone to carry out such jobs. But I will be extremely careful about using railway land and keep in mind the interests of the railway employees.” She said that the proposed freight corridor would also be constructed on PPP model.

The minister said the railways would impart vocational training to the unemployed youths at the proposed training centre at Dankuni in Hooghly district. “After successful completion of training at Dankuni, these youths would find themselves suitable for railway jobs and the railway will require many skilled workers for the proposed coach manufacturing unit at Kanchrapara in North 24-Parganas district. About 50,000 youths will get jobs in the Kanchrapara unit,” Banerjee said.

The Trinamool chief also held a meeting with senior party leaders after her return from Delhi on Friday night. It is learnt she was briefed on Lalgarh.

“Mamata was busy in Delhi for the last few days for her budget. We were in constant touch with her over phone and gave her updates about the developments in Lalgarh, where the police are torturing the tribals in the name of conducting raids on the Maoists,” said Trinamool MLA Partha Chatterjee. Banerjee also expressed her displeasure at the Centre’s decision to send forces to Lalgarh without consulting her.