Political, industry leaders welcome Metro surveys for Asansol and Durgapur

Finance minister Swapan Dasgupta yesterday announced surveys for proposed Metro rail projects in three cities of the state ~ Asansol, Durgapur and Siliguri. Political leaders and representatives of various chambers of commerce have welcomed the move, saying it would further transform these cities into major urban centres alongside Kolkata.

The Asansol-Durgapur belt is the oldest and largest industrial region in West Bengal, with industries ranging from iron and steel, cement, power and coal to electric locomotives, coal-bed methane gas, fertilisers and boiler manufacturing.

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At present, only two states in India ~ Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh ~ have Metro projects in multiple cities. West Bengal is set to become the third state in the country to have multi-city Metro networks, a development experts believe will significantly improve transport infrastructure and boost tourism.

During his election campaign in Asansol ahead of the Assembly polls in April this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that, if the BJP came to power in the state, Asansol and Durgapur would be transformed into mega cities and their old heritage restored.

“We welcome the new proposal by Swapan Dasgupta to conduct surveys for Metro rail projects in Asansol and Durgapur, two of the most important industrial cities in the state. This will not only reduce travelling time but will also boost trade and tourism,” said Agnimitra Paul, MLA from Asansol South and the state’s minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs.

The population of Asansol exceeds one million, while Durgapur has a population of around five lakh. Even Dhanbad, the coal capital of India in neighbouring Jharkhand, is expected to benefit from the proposed Metro connectivity.

“We already have an airport nearby at Andal and, with the proposal for Metro railways, there will be a huge boost to medical and religious tourism. It will also open up new opportunities for IT-related industries. There are several world-class English-medium and convent schools here, along with renowned national institutions such as the National Institute of Technology (NIT), CSIR-CMERI and the Central Power Research Institute in Durgapur. We believe this is a pre-Puja gift for the people of the state in this year’s budget,” said Chandra Sekhar Banerjee, MLA from Durgapur East.

“West Bengal is planning to expand its Metro rail network beyond Kolkata by proposing new projects for Siliguri and the Asansol-Durgapur industrial belt. This initiative aims to improve urban transport, reduce traffic congestion and boost regional connectivity. If approved, these areas will become the state’s next major transit hubs,” said Pawan Gutgutia, President of the Paschim Bardhaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

“We have major infrastructure development plans for both Asansol and Durgapur, and the Budget announcements have been made with that objective in mind. The Central government is investing heavily here in railway, steel and power projects, and the double-engine government will work together to provide further impetus. Two additional power units, each with a capacity of 800 MW, will also be set up at Santaldih in neighbouring Purulia under the PPP model. Therefore, investments will pour into the adjoining areas as well,” added Agnimitra Paul.