Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, accusing it of stalling several railway projects in the state. Speaking at a press conference, Vaishnaw blamed the 'Vikas Virodhi' (anti-development) mindset of the Mamata Banerjee-led government for the delays.
Key Projects Hit
The minister highlighted that projects worth over Rs 30,000 crore are stuck due to the state government's lack of cooperation. Among the major stalled initiatives are the Joka-Esplanade Metro, the extension of the East-West Metro, and several railway overbridge constructions. Vaishnaw claimed that the state has not provided land for these projects despite repeated requests from the Railways.
Political Tensions
The accusations come amid heightened political tensions between the BJP-led central government and the TMC-ruled state. Vaishnaw stated, 'The TMC government is deliberately blocking development in Bengal. They are not even giving possession of land for which funds have been allocated.' He added that the Railways is ready to execute the projects but is being hindered by the state's 'obstructionist' approach.
In response, TMC leaders dismissed the allegations, calling them politically motivated. They claimed that the central government is not releasing funds on time and is using railway projects as a tool to target the state. The state government has also accused the Railways of not consulting them before announcing projects.
Impact on Commuters
The delays have severely affected daily commuters, especially in Kolkata and its suburbs. The Joka-Esplanade Metro, a crucial corridor, has been pending for years, causing inconvenience to lakhs of passengers. Similarly, the East-West Metro extension, which aims to connect Salt Lake to Howrah, has faced multiple hurdles.
Vaishnaw assured that the central government is committed to Bengal's development but needs the state's cooperation. 'We want to build modern infrastructure for the people of Bengal, but the state government must shed its anti-development stance,' he said.
