Railway Projects Worth Rs. 50,915 Crore Stalled in West Bengal Due to Land Acquisition Issues
In a significant revelation, the Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has informed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that a staggering 61 railway projects in the state are currently at a standstill due to land acquisition challenges. These projects, with a cumulative value of Rs. 50,915 crore, represent a substantial investment in the state’s railway infrastructure. The issue of stalled projects has sparked a political debate, with the BJP accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of deliberately obstructing railway initiatives in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined the gravity of the situation. He stated that while railway projects worth Rs. 50,915 crore are in progress in West Bengal, a significant portion of these initiatives has been hampered by the unavailability of required land.
The railway ministry had undertaken efforts to secure land for most of the sanctioned railway projects in the state. However, these efforts have faced challenges, and the ministry has been unable to acquire the necessary land for these projects to move forward. As a result, a substantial number of sanctioned railway projects in West Bengal remain in limbo.
It’s worth noting that West Bengal received the highest budgetary allocation for railway projects among all states for the financial year 2023-24, amounting to Rs. 11,970 crore. This allocation underscores the importance of railway infrastructure development in the state.
In response to this pressing issue, the railway ministry has appealed to the West Bengal government for assistance in expediting the land acquisition process necessary for completing these pending projects. Minister Vaishnaw’s letter emphasized the need for the state government to issue suitable directives to expedite the land acquisition process, enabling the execution of these crucial projects.
Unsurprisingly, this matter has become a source of political contention, with the BJP accusing the TMC-led state government of intentionally obstructing railway projects for political gain ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Samik Bhattacharya, a spokesperson for the BJP, criticized the TMC government’s approach to development, alleging a lack of focus and a preference for political maneuvering over the welfare of the people. He remarked, “This (TMC-led) government has no focus on development. They don’t want the railway projects to get going. They don’t know how to work for the people and stand beside them. Their only focus is the vote bank, and that’s why they are playing politics.”
In response, the TMC defended its position, pointing to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s past tenure as Union Railway Minister, during which the state benefited from several significant railway projects. Kunal Ghosh, a TMC spokesperson, asserted that Banerjee’s experience and track record speak for themselves. He argued that the BJP’s Railway Minister need not lecture her on what’s best for railway projects in West Bengal.
Amid the political wrangling, Adhir Chowdhury, a Congress MP, offered a pragmatic perspective, acknowledging the challenges of land acquisition faced not only in West Bengal but across the country. He emphasized the need for both the central and state governments to collaborate in addressing these issues, recognizing that the problem is particularly acute in West Bengal.
The issue of stalled railway projects in West Bengal due to land acquisition difficulties highlights the complexities and challenges associated with infrastructure development in densely populated and geographically diverse regions. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance of efficient coordination between state and central governments to address these issues and ensure that essential infrastructure projects move forward for the benefit of the people. Ultimately, the resolution of these challenges will determine the fate of substantial investments in West Bengal’s railway infrastructure and impact the state’s overall development trajectory.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 11th September 2023
