With state elections a few months away, railway minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is likely to announce a host of projects specific to West Bengal in her Budget on Friday.
According to sources, Banerjee is likely to offer a bouquet of new trains for the state with emphasis on north Bengal. Trinamool Congress has been trying to expand its base in north Bengal, where the anti-establishment vote share has traditionally been with the Congress.
Banerjee may also look at connecting places like Siliguri and Jalpaiguri in north Bengal with other district headquarters and rest of the country as well. While that will increase tourist inflow to these destinations, Banerjee will be able to woo voters in the region, said a Trinamool leader.
Sources in Rail Bhavan said she is likely to announce projects connecting the proposed sea port at Sagar with Kulpi. A new deep sea port is proposed at Sagar in West Bengal by reclaiming 2,000 acres of land.