Somnath (Gujarat), Oct 16 : Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has offered land to Tata Motors for its Nano project in Bihar.

He made the announcement after inaugurating a five kilometer-long Veraval-Somnath broad gauge line and the Veraval-Jabalpur Express Train.

During his short 15-minute speech at the railway station, Yadav said, "Sanand farmers are being harassed. If at all the project has to be in Gujarat it could have been at Dwarka. If you are really looking for land for the project, come to Bihar.”

Yadav’s statement comes in the backdrop of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed on Wednesday in the Gujarat High Court challenging the Gujarat Government’s decision to convert agricultural land in Sanand for industrial use to set up the Nano project.

The Rs 300 million Veraval-Somnath line will facilitate pilgrims from all over India to reach the famous Somnath temple.

Yadav disclosed that the railways have plans to add 10,000 employees to the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Yadav also stated that he would propose a railway line from Diu to the temple town of Dwarka in the next budget.

On Wednesday evening, he had laid the foundation stone for Rs. 3.7 million footbridge at the Dwarka railway station. (ANI)