Prabhu announces commencement of new projects

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday announced the commencement of a bunch of new projects and introduced 14 additional Metro services during the peak hours.

While attending a programme at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport premises, Prabhu on Sunday announced the construction work of the underground Metro between Jessore Road and Bimanbandar. He also inaugurated the commencement of work for 14.5 kms Sankrail-Santragachi Broad Gauge Link Line via flyover of South Eastern Railways.

The new approach road from Belgachia Road overbridge to Kolkata terminal was inaugurated by the minister at the programme. Prabhu laid the foundation stone for construction of 6 m wide FOB at Ranaghat station and newly constructed 6 m wide FOB at Naihati station was dedicated to the service. He also flagged off the First Passenger Train (DMU) from New Cooch Behar to Siliguri Junction via Changrabandha of North East Frontier Railway.

Metro Railway has initiated a number of steps for better service to its commuters. The construction work of the 1st phase from Noapara to Bimanbandar with a route length of 6.873 kms with three stations namely Dum Dum Cantonment, Jessore Road and Bimanbandar was in progress. The proposed alignment will run through a thickly populated and congested area of Kolkata which will immensely benefit the commuters.

Fourteen additional Metros services which were inaugurated by the minister will run during the morning and evening peak hours from February 22. 

Out of these, 10 new services will ply between Dum Dum and Noapara, 4 of them between Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash. At present, Metro Railway runs 274 services on weekdays from Dum Dum to Kavi Subhash which will now go up to 278 and 76 services between Dum Dum and Noapara which will go up to 86. 

This augmentation of services has been planned in such a manner that no extra rolling stock and manpower will be required and will be of immense benefit to the passengers.

Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy urged the Railway minister to increase more number of air-conditioned rakes. Prabhu has assured him that infrastructure will be enhanced. Prabhu had sought the state government’s help.