WEST BENGAL (Metro Rail news): West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari has announced plans to expand metro rail services beyond Kolkata. According to a Deccan Chronicle report, he introduced new metro projects in the Asansol, Durgapur, Siliguri, and Jalpaiguri regions. The proposal aims to improve public transport and support the state’s growing urban areas.
Project funding strategy
The state government wants to develop metro systems under its Transport Department, similar to metro projects in other states. According to Suvendu Adhikari, the government will explore financial support from agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).
Metro expansion beyond Kolkata
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Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Adhikari said the state will ask the Chief Secretary to prepare metro rail projects in partnership with international and financial institutions. He noted that the first priority will be to connect two key urban areas:
- Asansol
- Durgapur
- Siliguri
- Jalpaiguri
According to the Chief Minister, these two metro systems will improve connectivity between neighboring cities and provide a faster and more reliable mode of public transport.
Focus on Green Mobility
Adhikari also spoke about promoting alternate clean transportation in the state. He said the state Transport Minister had recently held talks with Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on future projects and cooperation with the centre. He made the announcement while inaugurating 50 new air conditioned buses at Paribahan Bhavan-II in Kasba.
Also Read: Asansol-Durgapur Aerial Metro: West Bengal Government Appoints RITES for Feasibility Study