File picture of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday (February 3, 2025) said funds to railway projects in West Bengal have been increased three times since Mamata Banerjee was in charge of the Ministry of Railways.
“The allocation which was in Mamata Didi’s (Banerjee) time has been increased three times by Modi ji in West Bengal,” Mr. Vaishnaw said, during a web conference on the Railway Budget 2025.
The Minister informed that an allocation of ₹13,955 crores has been provided for West Bengal under Railway Budget 2025. The average annual allocation to West Bengal from 2009 to 2014 was ₹4,380 crore.
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Highlighting that the current investment in West Bengal for Railways in the State stands at ₹68,000 crores, the Minister requested the West Bengal government to address land acquisition and law and order issues so that benefits of these investments and projects reach citizens at the earliest.
“For the development of Railways land acquisition is important and I will request the Hon’ble Chief Minister to help us in land acquisition,” the Minister said. The Minister also informed that 101 stations in West Bengal are being modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and around 1290km of tracks were added in the state in the last 10 years.
During the interaction Mr. Vaishnaw said that there are nine Vande Bharat trains operating in West Bengal which is a significant number. The Minister informed that in West Bengal, 3,337km of tracks would be covered with the Kavach system to enhance railway safety.
Also Read | Union Budget 2025: Railways allocation remains unchanged at ₹2.65 lakh crore, budget for customer amenities, investment in PSUs slashed
The remarks by the Minister of Railways assumes significance amid complaints from the Trinamool Congress leadership that the allocation to Railway projects in West Bengal has been reduced since the Ministry of Railways was headed by leaders from Trinamool Congress.
Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee was Railways Minister for two terms — first during the NDA government in 2000 and then in UPA government from 2009 to 2011. After Ms. Banerjee, Trinamool leaders Mukul Roy and Dinesh Trivedi have also held the portfolio.
There are several key Railway projects in West Bengal including the East West Metro Project connecting Howrah Maidan to Sector V in Salt Lake through an under river tunnel whose completion has been delayed in the State. The project, however is operational along certain routes.
Published – February 04, 2025 10:57 am IST
