If West Bengal cooperates, Railways can invest in projects worth Rs 60,000 crore in the state: Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that there is an opportunity for Railways to invest Rs 60,000 crore in West Bengal. He highlighted that 61 projects are currently pending in the state due to issues related to handing over land to the Railways. The minister said that the Trinamool Congress government needs to rise above politics to complete these projects. After inaugurating several railway projects and train services at Sealdah station, Vaishnaw said, “There is an opportunity for Railways to invest Rs 60,000 crore in West Bengal.” He said that such investments will be possible only if the state government cooperates. Vaishnaw said that there are 26 km of metro rail projects where work is not progressing due to land-related issues. Speaking to reporters here after the Swachh Bharat program organized at ‘Braithwaite & Company Limited’, Vaishnaw stressed the need to give priority to the welfare of the public. The Railway Minister said, “Development is the need of the hour. There should be no politics over railway projects. If the state government supports us, these 61 pending projects can be expedited for the welfare of the people.