BALURGHAT: Residents of South Dinajpur, including BJP's Balurghat MLA, were disappointed with the Centre allocating meager amounts for two crucial ongoing Railway projects in the region in Budget 2022-23. There was no announcement of any new Railway project or train for the people of this district. Much to the surprise of the locals, the Centre has sanctioned only Rs 1,000 for Buniadpur-Kaliaganj rail
project. For the long-pending, Hili-Balurghat rail project Rs 20cr was allocated.
However, according to an official of district administration, there is a requirement of Rs 145 crore for the land acquisition process of Hili-Balurghat rail project. BJP's Balurghat MLA Ashok Kumar Lahiri has also criticised the fund allocation for Hili-Balurghat rail project and said it was never expected that such scanty amount would be sanctioned for such important project.
Trinamool Congress leader Goutam Das Said: "We were only deprived from the Budget." "I have donated my land for Hili-Balurghat rail project in 2010 but the project is not finished yet because of the lackadaisical attitude of the Central government. Perhaps, the Centre has no interest in completing the project and the Budget has once again reflected it. Now, I want to get back my land so that I can use it for myself," said land donor, Anil Ghosh.