Mamata Banerjee Asserts Ownership of Kolkata Metro Projects: "Conceived During My Rail Minister Tenure"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit to Kolkata to inaugurate several crucial sections of the city's Metro network has sparked a significant political discourse, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee firmly staking her claim on the origins of these ambitious projects.

In a pointed assertion, Ms.

Banerjee declared, "All these projects were conceptualized and planned during my tenure as the Union Railway Minister." Her statement directly references her time at the helm of the Railway Ministry from 2009 to 2011, directly preceding the current inaugurations by the Prime Minister.

Among the projects slated for unveiling, the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade stretch of the East-West Metro (Green Line) stands out.

This section boasts India's pioneering underwater metro tunnel, a remarkable engineering feat that promises to revolutionize connectivity beneath the Hooghly River. Ms. Banerjee emphasized her administration's foundational work on this and other vital lines.

Beyond the underwater marvel, two other significant expansions are on the agenda: the Majerhat-Joka section of the Joka-Esplanade Metro (Purple Line) and the Kavi Subhas-Ruby section of the Airport-New Garia Metro (Orange Line).

These extensions are poised to bring metro connectivity to vast new areas of Kolkata, significantly easing commuter woes and boosting urban development.

Ms. Banerjee’s intervention underscores a broader political narrative, especially in the run-up to elections, where credit for large-scale infrastructure development often becomes a fiercely contested issue.

Her remarks aim to remind the public of the long gestation period of such projects and the contributions made by various administrations.

While the political debate continues, the completion and inauguration of these metro lines are undoubtedly a boon for the millions of commuters in Kolkata. These projects represent a leap forward in urban transport, promising faster, more efficient, and modern connectivity across the bustling metropolis, irrespective of who initiated them.