Hooghly (West Bengal), Nov 13 (IANS): The Railways' scheme to give jobs along with compensation to people who give up land for its projects is an ideal model which can be adopted across the country for industrial ventures, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said here Sunday.

"For the first time, jobs are being given to a member of each of the families who gave up their land for this project. It is a novel idea and a model that can be adopted across the country for industrial projects," the minister said.

He was here to kickstart the commencement of work for a 19.5 km rail link between Furfura Sharif and Dankuni, both in Hooghly. Appointment letters to those who have lost land were also handed over on the occasion.

In 2009, Mamata Banerjee, the then railway minister, had promised this scheme while announcing the project.

"I am very happy... I never thought I would get a government job. If a farmer gets a job along with compensation, he will readily give up his land. I feel secured now," said one of the many people who are slated to get a job.

Though Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could not be present at the event, she congratulated the people for the link through a recorded message.

Trivedi said the link will be completed within 18 months which then will enable people of Furfura Sharif to access Dankuni, which comes under the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, in 25 minutes.