New Delhi: A 12 member delegation of Trinamool Parliamentarians, led by Lok Sabha leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay urged the Union Rail Minister Piyush Goyal to address rail issues in the different parts of the state.
The delegation has also submitted a written letter to Goyal where they mentioned the electrification of a stretch of 6.2 km area, from Manigram station up-to Sagardighi plant area, in the Farakka zone. This is an ongoing project of the Indian Railways and needs to be completed on a priority basis.
The second issue is the commissioning of the Nalhati bye-pass line connecting Chatra station with Takipur on Howrah division of Eastern Railway. It is necessary because Panchwara North mines will move to the Sagardighi Thermal Power Plant (installed capacity 1600mw+upcoming 660mw). This will ensure the direct movement of coal rakes without the necessity of change in the direction of the engine. RVNL has been already entrusted with the job.
Another issue is the rail linkage of Pakur (Nagarnabi) and Pachawara Rail. TMC MPs emphasised the essentiality of supply of coal from Pachwara (North) coal mines of WBPDCL to the Sagardighi TPS.
Induction and ensuring availability of more number of BOBRN Rakes (Bottom Discharge Hopper Wagons) for faster loading and unloading of Coal rakes at the Sargardighi Thermal Power Plant, Bakreswar TPP and Kolaghat TPS of WBPDCL is also another important issue among the mentioned issues.
Also, the members urged the rail minister, erstwhile coal minister to look into the matter of average monthly availability was only 323 rakes during the last two months, as against the requirement of 510 rakes, which is badly affecting the transportation of sufficient quantum of coal required for smooth the functioning of Thermal Power Stations of WBPDCL.
Goyal assured of prompt intervention, confirmed the Trinamool quarter. Earlier the MPs also met the coal minister Pralhad Joshi and road and transport minister Nitin Gadkari earlier this week to discuss the pending projects in West Bengal and urged them to speed up.