"PM has taken up mission to modernise, expand railway facilities in West Bengal," says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

New Delhi [India], February 4 (ANI): Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined the funds allocated for the development of railway infrastructure in West Bengal in this year's budget, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken up the modernization and expansion of railway facilities in the state.
Vaishnaw while adrressing a press a conference on Monday in the national capital said that Rs 13,955 crores has been allocated for the development of railway infrastructure in West Bengal.
He further asserted that 101 railway stations in West Bengal will be re-developed as 'Amrit' stations.
"The PM has taken up a big mission to modernise and expand railway facilities in West Bengal. For this, an amount of Rs 13,955 crores has been allocated. In Bengal, Railways has an investment of massive Rs 68,000 crores. To use these resources, I request West Bengal CM to help us with land acquisition and also regarding law and order to benefit the people. For the development of railways, land acquisition is very important. 101 railway stations in West Bengal will be re-developed as 'Amrit' stations," the Union railway minister said.
He stated that currently 9 Vande Bharat trains are running in West Bengal and added that 1290 km of railway tracks were laid down in the state in the last ten years.
"Currently, 9 Vande Bharat trains are running in West Bengal. The first Amrit Bharat train started from Malda last year. Now in this year's budget, 100 new Amrit Bharat trains have been approved. NaMo Bharat trains will also be started in West Bengal...In the last 10 years, 1290 km of railway tracks were laid down in West Bengal," he added.
However, reacting to the Union Budget 2025, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh said that it seemed that Bihar had gotten a lot of things, but effectively it had gotten a "lollipop and the rest of India 'thenga.'
Kunal Ghosh said, "Bihar has just got a lollipop. What has been given to Bihar? It is confusing the public of Bihar. It seems that Bihar has got a lot of things, but effectively it will not get anything. In the budget, even Bengal did not get anything. Bihar has got a lollipop and the rest of the country has got 'thenga'. There is nothing about Bengal in this budget. There is nothing for the tribals, youth, farmers, and railway security. The importance of railways in this budget has been completely erased."
The Union Budget 2024-25, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Saturday, provided major relief to the salaried class with no income tax on an average monthly income of up to Rs 12 lakh to boost household savings and consumption with the government also giving thrust to four engines of development - agriculture, MSMEs, investment and exports.
Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025 in the Lok Sabha, outlining a roadmap for India's continued economic expansion, emphasising agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), investment, and exports. (ANI)