Ashwini Vaishnaw targets former TMC regime over delayed rail projects, announces ₹1 lakh crore infra push

Speaking after a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna, the state secretariat, Vaishnaw said the Centre would now accelerate pending projects with the support of the new state government.

He also announced plans to invest around Rs 1 lakh crore in railway infrastructure and modernisation projects across West Bengal.

Vaishnaw claimed that several major railway and metro projects had faced prolonged delays under the previous administration, which he described as "vikas virodhi" or anti-development.

"The previous government had blocked all forms of development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has plans for Bengal, and that is evident from the Rs 14,205 crore allotted for railway projects in the state. Under the UPA government, Bengal got Rs 4,000 crore," he said.

The Union Minister alleged that the former government delayed permissions, no-objection certificates and land-related approvals, creating obstacles for infrastructure projects.

"The TMC government, unfortunately, never gave us permission for many projects. In some cases, they even moved courts," Vaishnaw said.

Referring to the Chingrighata Metro project, he added, "For the Kolkata Metro project at Chingrighata, we planned as per the Kolkata Police's advice. Despite that, the TMC moved the Calcutta High Court and later approached the Supreme Court. They did not want commuters to get the benefits of the Metro rail."

"I had said in Parliament that the TMC is 'vikas virodhi'," he added.

₹1 lakh crore infra push

The Railway Minister announced that projects worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore would be implemented across West Bengal, covering station redevelopment, rail connectivity upgrades and transportation infrastructure.

Addressing a joint press conference with Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the investment as a major milestone for the state.

"The allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore for the upgradation of Railways infrastructure was a major achievement, and soon the people of West Bengal would reap the benefits of the double-engine government," Adhikari said.

According to the Chief Minister, the investment will support the redevelopment of 102 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat scheme and the construction of 538 flyovers and underpasses across the state.

Adhikari also directed district administrations to prepare a schedule for handing over land required for railway projects.

Centre and state pledge faster project execution

Vaishnaw said coordination between the Centre and the state had improved significantly following the political change in West Bengal.

"Now, when a change has come in Bengal, it has become our responsibility to fulfil the dreams of PM Modi, and we will work together," he said.

He added that several pending procedural issues had already begun to be resolved.

"The NoC (no-objection certificate), which was just paperwork, was also stalled by the previous government. That has been solved. Problems around land acquisition have also started getting resolved," the minister said.

"We will expedite the projects at maximum speed. The chief minister is eager and very cooperative," he added.

Adhikari echoed similar views and said the state government would actively assist railway authorities.

"Just as we have provided land to the BSF to strengthen border security, we will similarly provide land to the Railways for various projects across West Bengal," he said.

Kolkata Metro expansion to get major boost

Highlighting metro rail development, Vaishnaw said Kolkata Metro had witnessed significant growth since 2014.

"Works for the Kolkata Metro started in 1972. In 42 years, only 28 kilometres of work were done. After Modi assumed office as Prime Minister, the projects were expedited. In 12 years, the Kolkata Metro expanded for another 45 kilometres. This is what you call development work," he said.

The minister announced that Kolkata Metro would receive 60 next-generation trains over the next five years.

"In the next five years, 60 next-generation trains will be introduced for Kolkata Metro. Today, I took the Kolkata Metro. We will bring in a big revamp for it. This will prove to be very beneficial for Kolkata and its surrounding areas," he said.

Vaishnaw travelled on the airport metro corridor after arriving in Kolkata and later reviewed ongoing railway projects.

Siliguri-Delhi bullet train

The Railway Minister also unveiled plans for a high-speed rail corridor linking Delhi and Siliguri.

"A bullet train project will come to West Bengal. It will connect Delhi and Siliguri via Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna," he announced.

According to Vaishnaw, the proposed corridor would reduce travel time between Siliguri and New Delhi to approximately six hours.

"These high-speed corridors will connect Siliguri with New Delhi in six hours," he said.

The project would become India's second bullet train network after the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor.

Freight connectivity

Vaishnaw also highlighted plans for the East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Dankuni in West Bengal with Surat in Gujarat.

"This dedicated East-West freight corridor from Dankuni to Surat will greatly benefit states like West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh," he said.

The minister added that West Bengal would continue to receive priority in railway expansion.

"Reconstruction of 102 railway stations will be carried out," he said.

He further noted that premium train services had expanded significantly in the state.

"Vande Bharat sleeper train and Amrit Bharat train were first introduced in West Bengal. Today, nine Vande Bharat Express (normal/seater) trains and one Vande Bharat Express (sleeper) train are operational in Bengal, and 13 Amrit Bharat trains," Vaishnaw said.

The minister also stated that railway electrification across West Bengal had reached 100 percent and assured continued investment in trains, stations and passenger facilities.

"In the coming days, we will introduce new trains, new stations and facilities," he said.