West Bengal has been sanctioned 61 rail projects. Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has had discussions with the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday, June 5, at the state secretariat.
According to Jagran sources, various railway projects have been discussed during their discussion. Thereafter, both of them had a press conference. Vaishnaw informed that as many as 538 new flyovers and underpasses will be constructed in Bengal. These projects will definitely alter the operations of the railway system in Bengal.
Vaishnaw informed that 102 'Amrit Bharat' stations will be developed in West Bengal in the future. 60 new rakes would also be provided to Kolkata metro within five years. Further, bullet train services will be launched between Siliguri-Delhi.
Disclosing information about rail projects for Bengal, the Railway Minister said, "This bullet train will start from New Delhi and reach Siliguri in North Bengal via Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna. The distance will be covered in just six hours. Additionally, 60 new train services will be launched in the state over the next five years."
The Railway Minister stated that projects worth ₹1 lakh crore will be undertaken for Bengal, and funding is available. A dedicated East-West freight corridor connecting Dankuni in Bengal with Surat in Gujarat has also been announced.
Ashwini Vaishnav stated that the previous Trinamool Congress government had approached the High Court and Supreme Court to block railway projects, depriving the people of Bengal of development.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told reporters at Nabanna, "However, now work will be done freely and wholeheartedly. The previous government had prevented work."
Echoing Ashwini Vaishnav, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that during the Trinamool Congress rule, relations between the central and state had become almost strained, stalling many projects.
Suvendu Adhikari said, "But now the people of West Bengal will be able to take full advantage of the 'double-engine' government. Approval has already been granted for 61 railway projects."
The Chief Minister directed district magistrates to cooperate with the Railway Board to expand the railway network and simplify the land acquisition process.