Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces 60 New Metro Trains For Kolkata Over Five Years
The Centre unveiled a major expansion plan for Kolkata Metro.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday announced that 60 next-generation trains will be introduced on the Kolkata Metro network over the next five years, as part of efforts to modernise and expand the city's rapid transit system. The announcement came during his visit to Kolkata, where he travelled on the Metro and interacted with passengers and railway staff.
Vaishnaw travelled from Jain Hind Station to Noapara Station on the Kolkata Metro, using the journey to gather feedback from commuters on existing services and areas requiring improvement. He also met sanitation workers at the station and praised their contribution to maintaining cleanliness across the Metro network. After completing the Metro journey, the minister travelled by auto-rickshaw from Noapara to the Belgharia Expressway, highlighting the importance of public transport and fuel conservation.
The visit formed part of a broader review of transport infrastructure and public services in the city. Later, Vaishnaw held discussions with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding ongoing railway and infrastructure projects in the state. According to sources, the meeting focused on accelerating key development initiatives and improving connectivity through major transportation investments.
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Speaking about the growth of the Metro network, the minister said only 28 kilometres of Kolkata Metro lines had been completed during the first 42 years of the system's existence, while 45 kilometres had been added since 2014. He reiterated the government's commitment to revamping the Metro network and enhancing urban transport infrastructure through the introduction of modern trains and expanded services.
Vaishnaw also outlined plans for future high-speed rail connectivity, stating that proposed bullet train corridors linking Delhi and Varanasi, and Varanasi and Siliguri, are intended to significantly reduce travel times. He claimed that the planned network could eventually enable travel between Siliguri and New Delhi in around six hours. The minister added that several major railway projects are currently underway in West Bengal and expressed confidence that infrastructure development in the state would gain further momentum in the coming years.
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