Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday laid the foundation stone to mark the conversion of the Metro Railway here into the 17th independent zonal railway — 38 years after the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, laid the foundation stone for the Metro project this day in 1972.
The Metro Railway was a project of the Indian Railways so far.
Now it will now have its own construction infrastructure, and its employees will enjoy parity with their colleagues in the other zones.
Expansion work inaugurated
Commencement of expansion work for the Joka-BBD Bag Metro Rail Project (Phase-I) of the Joka-Majerhat section was also inaugurated. The foundation stone was laid by President Pratibha Patil on September 22.
Ms. Banerjee said the conversion of the Metro Railway into a zone would expedite infrastructure development and consequently accelerate implementation of the four expansion projects worth Rs. 10,000 crore which Metro Rail has on its hands now.
No fund allotted
Ms. Banerjee criticised her predecessors in the Ministry as well as the West Bengal government for allegedly neglecting the Metro during the last 10 years, when no fund was allotted for its development.
“The rakes are too old and dilapidated and there is a shortage of manpower also. I allotted Rs. 1,000 crore just for the development of Metro during my first year in office. The detractors, however, are still continuing with their negative campaign. I have always appealed to my political opponents to fight against me politically rather than hurting the Railway Department just because I am its Minister.” Ms. Banerjee said 650 casual employees of the Metro would be made permanent to fill security staff vacancies. With the conversion, Metro unions would also get negotiation powers.
