West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Saturday that several stalled railway projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore will resume soon in the state. The projects, which were held up for years due to lack of land, include modernisation of 102 stations, construction of 538 flyovers and underpasses, expansion of Kolkata's metro, and expansion of railways in areas not yet on the map.
Adhikari held a high-level meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who assured him that funds are ready for the projects. The Centre has allocated ₹14,205 crore for the railway sector in West Bengal for the financial year 2026-27.
The Sevoke-Rangpo rail project, crucial for connectivity and national security, was held up for years due to the previous state government's failure to provide 20 acres of land. Adhikari directed officials to clear pending projects within 48 hours and prepare a calendar for handing over land to the railways.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced that West Bengal will get a bullet train connecting Siliguri to Delhi via Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna, and at least 60 next-generation trains will be introduced in Kolkata Metro in the next five years.
