Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the August 22 event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate three new routes of Kolkata Metro. The invitation notably includes a detailed estimate of ongoing railway projects in the state and and financial approvals.
While the simultaneous launch of metro services on the Green Line, Orange Line, and Yellow Line is expected to significantly enhance urban connectivity in Kolkata, the invitation to Banerjee has drawn considerable attention, sparking anticipation about her potential attendance at the event.
The new routes include the final section of the East-West Metro (Green Line) from Sealdah to Esplanade, which will complete its vital link. The Orange Line will extend services from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing) to Beleghata, adding four new stations. Concurrently, the Yellow Line will connect Noapara to Jai Hind (Biman Bandar/airport), introducing four new stations and establishing a direct metro link to the airport. Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate a subway at the Howrah metro station.
Vaishnaw, in his invitation, reaffirmed the Centre’s dedication to improving train services and infrastructure in West Bengal. He highlighted that projects valued at Rs 83,765 crore were underway in the state, with a record allocation of Rs 13,955 crore in the current budget. Furthermore, 101 stations are being redeveloped, and West Bengal’s rail network is already benefiting from nine Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains, he noted.
‘2026 election is knocking on the door’
However, the invitation led to contrasting reactions. TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty criticised the Centre, stating, “So many metro projects are stuck for lack of budgetary allocations due to the stepmotherly attitude of the central government. There are local trains that never run on time. At least, this time they have invited the CM, because the 2026 election is knocking on the door.”
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar attributed project delays to land-related issues. “In Bengal, due to land issues, nearly 43 projects are stuck. The project the PM is coming to inaugurate was stuck near Chingrighata for days. Because of non-cooperation by the police and the traffic department, the metro rail is unable to connect it to Sector 5. The invitation to CM is but natural because the BJP doesn’t believe in the politics of hatred. It believes in a federal structure, which the TMC lacks. Hence, it is natural for them to react that way.”
In preparation for the launch, Sumeet Singhal, Commissioner of Railway Safety, recently conducted a thorough inspection of the Yellow Line stretch from Dum Dum Cantonment to Jai Hind Bimanbandar. The inspection, covering tracks, trains, and emergency features, concluded with him expressing satisfaction with the section’s readiness for passenger service. Upon receiving formal sanction, this new service is expected to significantly transform Kolkata’s urban transport landscape.
Story continues below this ad
This visit marks another significant engagement for Modi in West Bengal, following his July visit to Durgapur, where he inaugurated projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore. All eyes are now on the August 22 event to see if the chief minister attends it.
