Vaishnaw invites Mamata to PM Modi's Metro Inauguration in Kolkata
In a letter dated August 14, Vaishnaw requested the chief minister to 'grace the occasion' at Jessore Road metro station, where the inauguration ceremony will be held.
The state government is yet to confirm whether Banerjee will be present.
Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Sealdah- Esplanade stretch of the Green Line, the Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)- Beleghata section of the Orange Line, and the Noapara- Jai Hind (Airport) section of the Yellow Line.
With this, the Green Line- India's first underwater metro- will become fully operational from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector 5, and Kolkata airport will finally get a metro link.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has questioned the timing of the event, alleging that long-pending projects are being unveiled with an eye on next year's Assembly polls. The state BJP, however, dismissed the charge, blaming the state government for land acquisition hurdles that stalled several projects.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said, 'Forty-three railway projects in Bengal have been delayed due to lack of cooperation from the state government. The CM's presence at the inauguration would be desirable.'
Vaishnaw, highlighting the Centre's push for rail infrastructure in Bengal, said works worth Rs 83,765 crore are underway in the state, along with the redevelopment of 101 railway stations.
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