Kolkata, 22 August (H.S.) Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has criticized the state government for allegedly obstructing several metro rail projects, claiming that these delays have turned long-pending initiatives into prolonged embarrassments for the state. In a post on X on Friday, Adhikari slammed West Bengal Chief Minister, stating that the Sealdah–Esplanade stretch of the East-West Metro had been stalled repeatedly due to the state administration’s inefficiencies and lack of cooperation.
Adhikari alleged that during the former Chief Minister’s tenure as Railways Minister in the UPA era, some project blueprints were prepared but remained unexecuted due to delays at both the central and state level. He further highlighted a current example of non-cooperation concerning the New Garia–Airport Metro Corridor (Orange Line), where the launch of a viaduct at Chingrighata Junction has been delayed because the West Bengal government has yet to issue the required NOC, despite all traffic diversion arrangements being made in consultation with Kolkata Police. According to Adhikari, even a personal request from Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw could not secure approval from the state government.
Contrasting the UPA period with the current government, Adhikari pointed out that railway funding for West Bengal has tripled, from an average of ₹4,380 crore under the UPA to ₹13,955 crore this year. He added that projects worth ₹83,765 crore are currently underway in the state, enabling faster completion and world-class connectivity. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delivering metro routes including Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar, Sealdah–Esplanade, and Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, which are expected to improve connectivity to the airport and major railway stations.
Adhikari concluded by asserting that the state government’s contribution has been “a big fat zero” and emphasized that West Bengal deserves actionable development rather than “false
claims.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
