Mamata opens rail inbox,gets challenges

During her brief interaction with the media in Kolkata,she announced several initiatives that her ministry would be undertaking in the days ahead that included special schemes for the poor and special attention to Jammu and Kashmir.

“I may be a minister from Bengal but we want to develop all parts of India. I will work for the entire country. Railways will take special care for passenger amenities,cleanliness,safety and security of the passengers as also freight and business,” said Banerjee.

She announced special monthly passes of Rs 20 to those whose monthly income is below Rs 500. The passes will be valid for a distance of 100 km.

“I want to provide them with economic freedom of traveling by rail,especially those who work in the un-organised sector,” she added.

On the question of passengers being stranded by the violence in Punjab,she said: “With the help of the Gurudwaras,we have been trying to provide relief,water and shelter to the stranded passengers. As we get the green signal from security forces,we will try to get the passengers on the train.”

Amid this,she announced renaming of Howrah-Digha Express to Kandari Express as a tribute to Kazi Nazrul Islam — Kandari Hushiyar,one of the famous poem of Nazrul. The train will ply on a daily basis,instead three days a week.

“Today is the birthday of Kazi Nazrul Islam and I have decided to name the Howrah-Digha train after him,” said Banerjee. She assured that modernisation and introduction of new technology at major stations will also be adopted.

She also promised to implement the Howrah-Ludhiana freight corridor which will benefit the state of West Bengal,Punjab,Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in record time.