Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday announced a significant investment opportunity of Rs 60,000 crore by the Railways in the state of West Bengal. He emphasised the potential for development through railway projects while highlighting that 61 pending projects in the state are currently stalled due to land-related issues and urged cooperation from the state government to expedite their completion.
“Rs 60,000 crore investment opportunity by the railways exists in West Bengal,” Vaishnaw declared after inaugurating several railway projects and train services at Sealdah station. He stressed that the successful realisation of such investments hinges on collaborative efforts with the state government.
Addressing reporters at a Swachh Bharat event at Braithwaite & Co Ltd, Vaishnaw underscored the necessity to prioritise people’s welfare over politics. He appealed to the state government to lend their support to expedite the pending projects for the benefit of the people, setting aside political differences.
Furthermore, Vaishnaw discussed the challenges faced in progressing 26 km of Metro railway projects due to land-related issues, emphasising the need for a resolution to facilitate the advancement of crucial infrastructure.
In response to recent incidents impacting healthcare services, Vaishnaw expressed solidarity and concern, stating, “The puja season has begun, and we are praying for justice for our daughter, our sister.”
Highlighting the developmental progress achieved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Vaishnaw specifically noted the expansion of the Metro network in Kolkata from 28 km in 2014 to 38 km. He cited a significant increase in the allocation for railway development in Bengal, which now stands at Rs 13,941 crore – tripling the average allocated in previous years, including during the UPA government and Mamata Banerjee’s tenure as railway minister.
Vaishnaw also addressed railway safety concerns, detailing advancements in safety measures, particularly highlighting the completion of Kavach 4.2. He stressed the technical and scientific nature of the system, along with receiving high safety certifications from global third-party agencies, reflecting the rigorous safety measures implemented.
The Railway Minister underscored the Ministry’s commitment to thorough investigations into the causes of railway accidents and credited technological advancements, improved maintenance practices, and enhanced training for the substantial reduction in accidents over the past decade.
The strategic investment opportunities and focus on safety measures presented by Ashwini Vaishnaw are indicative of the government’s dedication to infrastructural development and public welfare in the state of West Bengal.