West Bengal Allocated Over Rs 14K Crore For Rail Projects In Budget 2026-27, Says Vaishnaw

New Delhi, Feb 9 (KNN) West Bengal has received a total allocation of Rs 14,205 crore for railway projects in Budget 2026-27, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday as he inaugurated a Road Over Bridge (ROB) and flagged off new train service for the poll-bound state via video conferencing.

Addressing the event, the Minister said the projects would strengthen rail infrastructure, enhance safety and improve regional connectivity in West Bengal and neighbouring areas. 

He noted that the budgetary allocation for the railways in West Bengal this year is more than three times the average annual allocation during 2009–2014. 

He added that railway projects worth approximately Rs 92,000 crore are currently underway in the state, aimed at long-term infrastructure development.

The Minister also referred to recent initiatives to expand rail connectivity in the region, including the introduction of multiple new train services. He highlighted the commencement of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train from West Bengal and said these initiatives align with the Centre’s ‘Purvoday’ vision for the development of eastern India. 

He further stated that the Budget has announced the first bullet train project for West Bengal, proposed to originate from Siliguri, and an East–West Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting West Bengal with Gujarat. 

Plans for an underground rail corridor in the Chicken’s Neck region of North Bengal were also cited as a strategic measure for secure transportation.

The Union Minister flagged off the new Asansol–Bokaro Steel City MEMU passenger train service, enhancing connectivity between two major industrial centres.

The service, running via Paschim Bardhaman and Purulia districts of West Bengal and Bokaro district of Jharkhand, is expected to benefit industrial workers, daily commuters and local residents. 

(KNN Bureau)