Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Rs 1 Lakh Crore West Bengal Rail Revamp

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited West Bengal and unveiled a package of rail projects valued at over Rs 1 lakh crore. The announcements included a high‑speed bullet‑train corridor linking Delhi and Siliguri via Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna, reducing the journey from about 20 hours to six, and the addition of 60 next‑generation trains to the Kolkata Metro network over the next five years. Vaishnaw also pledged to fast‑track stalled projects, criticised the previous state government for delays, and highlighted new investments exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore across the state. Separately, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wrote to Vaishnaw urging the establishment of a Railway Coach Factory in Murshidabad in partnership with SAIL, citing employment and industrial benefits.

The minister’s meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also outlined broader infrastructure upgrades, including the redevelopment of 102 stations under the Amrit Bharat Yojana, construction of flyovers and underpasses, and plans to connect previously unserved districts to the rail network. These initiatives aim to accelerate connectivity, boost regional economies and modernise urban transit in the state.