Author: aitc

Shubharatri! I am from Bankura constituency in West Bengal. There are two projects that are going to be started by the South-Eastern Railway, namely at Bankura Railway Gate No. 3. यह काम शरु करिेके साथ-साथ नदखाया जाता है नक वहािं80 हाउसेज़ हैं, पनब्ललक नबनल्डिंग हैऔर अिंडरपास बिािेके चलतेदेखा जाता हैनक घर नगर गए, इसनलए वह काम बिंद हो गया। उसको नशफ्ट करािेके नलए एक मीनटिंगबलुाई गई थी, under the leadership of District Magistrate, Bankura; Superintendent of Police; MPs; MLAs;and local municipality. My prayer is that you may kindly shift this project from near the railway property. There are so many railway properties. इसेनशफ्ट करिेसेलाइफ का लॉस भी िहीं होगा, कुछ डैमेज भी िहीं होगा और ठीक से काम भी चलेगा। यह मेरी नडमािंड है। मेरी दूसरी नडमािंड है। In my constituency, Bankura and in Raghunathpur, Purulia also there is a railway site under Neturia block. िेटुररया ब्ललॉक मेंरले वेसाइनडिंग बिा रहा ह, ैजहािंएक हायर सैकेंडरी स्कूल है। 20 गािंव हैं, हॉनस्पटल है। उस रास्तेसेस्टूडेंट्स स्कूल जातेह, ैंलोग गािंव-गािंव सेमाकेट जातेहैंऔर हानस्पटल जातेहैं।वहािंरले वेकी ढेर सारी जमीि पड़ीहुई है। अगर उसको थोड़ा नशफ्ट कर नदया जाए तो स्कूल भी बच जाएगा, रले भीबच जाएगी औरपनब्ललक भीबच जाएगी।इस पर थोड़ा ध्याि देिाबहुत जररीहै।वहािंएनजटेशि भी हो रहा है। अगर आपवहािं साइनडिंग बिा देंगेतो पनब्ललक को तकलीफ होगी। There are two more demands of mine. It is known that previously the hon. Railway Minister, Ms. Mamata Banerjee was there. उिके टाइम परबािंकुरा नडनस्ट्रक्ट मेंजोएससी, एसटी केलोग हैं, उि सब एररयाज़ मेंपयाटि को आगेबढ़ािेके नलए उन्द्होंिेदो प्रोजेक्ट्स नदए थे। एक प्रोजेक्ट का िाम है- छातिा मकुुटमिीपरुन्द्यूरले वेप्रोजेक्ट। उसके नलए75 परसेंट जमीि एक्वायरहो गयी है। लेनकि अफसोस की बात हैनक रले बजट मेंउसके नलए पैसेिहीं नदयेगए। इस प्रोजेक्ट सेवहाूँजो अिडेवलपड एररया है, जो नशड्यूल्ड ट्राइब एररया है, जहाूँकेबारेमेंकहा जाता था नक उसेमाओवानदयों िेनडस्टबा नकया हुआ है, वहाूँसेलोग अपिा घर छोड़कर भाग जातेथे। अब उस एररया मेंशािंनत हो गई है। आज वेसारेलोग सरकार के साथ हैं, स्टेट और सेन्द्टर के साथ हैं। अब वहाूँपर शािंनतपूणानस्थनत है। अगर उि एररयाज मेंडेवलपमेंट होगा, तो सरकार की इज्जत भी रहेगी और पनब्ललक को भी इसका फायदा नमलेगा। इसनलए इस ओर ध्याि देिेके नलए मैंररक्वेस्ट करता ह ।ूँ Another project is there. There is a railway line near Mejia Thermal Power Project which is in Bankura. The rail line started in district Bardhaman, i.e. Raniganj to Mejia. There is only 22 kms rail line. वहाूँपर सीधी रले लाइि बििेसेआसिसोल सेबािंकुड़ा डायरेक्ट नलिंक हो सकता है। दामोदर ररवर केऊपर रले वेनब्रज बिा हुआ है, मेनजया थमाल प्रोजेक्ट के नलए रािीगिंज कोल बेल्ट सेरले वेके द्वारा ट्रािंसपोटेशि हो रहा है। अगर रेलवेलाइि को 22 नकलोमीटर तक आगेबढ़ा नदया जाए, तो बािंकुड़ा नजलेके साथ वधामाि नजलेका नलिंक बि जाएगा। इससेइिंडस्ट्रीयल डेवलपमेंट बढ़ेगा, नजससेएक िॉिइिंडस्ट्रीयल एररया में एनक्टनवटीज बढ़ जाएगी। इसनलए मैंरले मिंत्री जी सेररक्वेस्ट करता ह ूँनक if he can kindly look into this matter, these two projects which are stopped, इसको आगेबढ़ािेकी कोनशश की जाए तानक पनब्ललक को सनुवधा नमल सके। नजतिेभी एमपीज हैं, हम सभी को धन्द्यवाद देतेहैंनक वेचिुाव सेहोकर यहाूँसदि मेंआतेहैंऔरपनब्ललक के नलए रले मिंत्री जी सेररक्वेस्ट करतेहैं, इसनलए हम सभी को धन्द्यवाद ज्ञानपत करतेहैं। धन्द्यवाद।

माननीय अध्यक्ष जी, आपनेमझुेइस कवर्य परबोलनेिा मौिा कदया, इसिे कलए मैंआपिा आभारी ह ं। मैंबंगाली भार्ा मेंबोलना चाहता ह ं। My Lok Sabha constituency, Howrah, has two Railway zones- the Eastern Railway Zone and the South Eastern Railway Zone. हमारेपास दोनोंहीहैं, इधर कमकनस्टर साहबहैं। There is an important station in the South Eastern Zone named Santragachi. A new building is being erected in that station. This work has been going on for a few years now and I am not sure for how long this work will go on. We were informed that the work would be completed soon, but even after two years, the work hasn’t been completed. It’s difficult to predict the work’s completion. यह िब खत्म होगा, हम नहीं जानतेहैं। इतना बड़ा स्टेशन बन रहा है। ईजी िर सितेहैं, हम इसीकलए बोल रहेहैं। मेहरबानी िीकजए, इधर मंत्री जी हैं, अच्छेआदमी हैं, हम िहतेहैंकि‍िजल्दी िरगेंेतो अच्छा होगा। All right. िब खत्म होगा, हम नहीं जानते। I had repeatedly requested the Honourable Railway Minister to construct an underpass in the Baksara region which is near Santragachi station. Many people commute through that area with great difficulty. I have personally met him, and I have written a letter to him. I had spoken about this in previous sessions as well. Everything is on record, yet no work was *done. हम इधर ही रहतेहैं, उधर नहीं, एिदम खत्म हो गया।  Passenger services have completely collapsed in the South Eastern Railway Zone. The services of the local train are often delayed for 2-2.5 hours. The trains get cancelled on a whim. The situation is so grave that the passengers have stopped trusting the railways and are preferring other modes of transport like the Bus service. To enter the platform of Howrah station, the trains have to wait for several hours. I am sure the Railway Minister is aware of these issues. I will request him to please grant my requests. You are a true gentleman. I have spoken to you earlier as well. हम यही िहना चाहतेहैंकि‍िमेहरबानी िीकजए, इधर जो हुआ, एि ही बात है, आप हमेंइधर सेिर दीकजए। मैंइसीवजह सेिह रहा ह ं कि‍िआप अंडरपास देदीकजए। : सर, ट्रेन लेट होती है। सर, आप िरक्े ट बोल रहेहैंऔर कमकनस्टर साहब भी िरक्े ट बोल रहे हैं। लेकिन थोड़ी तिलीि हैकि वहां ट्रेन िम आती है। गांव सेजो लोग आतेहैं, वहांबसेज नहीं कमलती हैं। इसकलए मैंयह बात बोलना चाह रहा ह ं। ऐसी बात नहीं है, आप लोग िाम िरतेहैं। आप संतरागाछीस्टेशन पर ट्रेन िी व्यवस्था िर दीकजए।हम यहांिोई लड़ाई िरनेिे कलए नहीं आएहैं। यकद कमकनस्टर साहब हमारा िाम िरगेंेतो हम किससेजािर लड़ाई िरगेंे? वेबहुत अच्छेहैं। मैं दोबाराइस बात िोबोल रहाह ं कि बक्सरा मेंएि अंडरपास िी व्यवस्था िर दीकजए। … थैंि यूसर।

Madam. I rise to speak on the Demands for Grants of Railways for the financial year 2025-26. While this Government claims to be modernising the railways, the reality is that our railway system is still plagued by delayed projects, poor infrastructure, declining safety standards and passenger inconvenience. Indian railways is the lifeline of our nation, carrying millions of passengers everyday. It is a symbol of connectivity, economic growth and national integration. However, the manner in which the railway sector is being managed raises serious concerns. This Budget is long on promises but short on delivery. It fails to address some of the most pressing issues that impact passengers, railway employees, and freight transporters. Madam, let us start with the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which was launched to modernise railway stations across the country. While the Government made grand announcements about station re-development and better passenger amenities, on ground, the progress is painfully slow. According to a recent report by the Telegraph, the Union Budget for the year 2025-2026 has allocated Rs. 13,950 crore for railway projects in West Bengal, as told by our hon. Railway Minister. The report also says that our hon. Prime Minister has undertaken a mission to modernise and expand the railway network in West Bengal, to build new stations, improve passenger amenities and run new trains. Madam, the State currently has Rs. 68,000 crore of investment in railways. Although our hon. Railway Minister boasts that the allocation made by our hon. Prime Minister is three times more than that was made by Shrimati Mamta Banerjee during her tenure as the Union Railway Minister, he did not give a clear break-up of the allocation for the individual reports, thus making it nontransparent. Our hon. Railway Minister has informed that 101 stations in West Bengal are being modernized under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme which was introduced in the year 2022. Despite the allocation of Rs. 1,503 crore in the financial year 2023, for the redevelopment of 37 railway stations across the State, there has been little or no visible progress. Let us take the Medinipur, Kharagpur and Salboni railway stations, which fall in my Lok Sabha constituency, as examples. The work is progressing at a snail’s pace, and the passengers continue to suffer from inadequate facilities. The promised underpasses and road over-bridges at Dantan, Belda and Medinipur remain stuck in bureaucratic delays. Despite repeated assurances, there is no visible progress on these critical projects. This raises a fundamental question. If the Central Government cannot complete the on-going projects efficiently, how can we trust its big promises for the future? Another major issue that has been completely ignored is train delays. In the Adra division, the passenger and express trains have been consistently running late for over a year. Important trains like the Howrah-Purulia Express and Bhadrak Express are facing severe delays, causing problems for thousands of daily commuters. Despite repeated complaints from passengers, the Government has done nothing to address the root causes of these delays. Instead of investing in better scheduling, improved signalling and track maintenance, the budget only talks about expanding new routes without fixing the problems on existing ones. If the Government truly wants to improve railways, it must first fix the existing network before making tall promises about expansion. In many places where railway projects are being completed, quality is a major issue. Take the railway underpasses in Salboni, which is in my Lok Sabha constituency. These structures, which should last for at least decades, are already crumbling within six months to a year. The corruption and poor execution have led to structurally weak railway projects, which are not only a waste of public money but also a serious safety hazard. Why is the Government not taking strict action against contractors and officials responsible for such sub-standard work? Why is there no accountability for taxpayers’ money? The Government fails to address corruption, and inefficiency that plague railway construction and maintenance. Another issue that must be addressed is the inhuman eviction of railway colony residents in Kharagpur and other railway towns. Many families have been living in railway quarters for over 50 years, yet they are now being forcibly evicted without any proper rehabilitation plan. These are railway employees, daily wage workers, and their families who have nowhere else to go. If the Government wants to reclaim land for development, it must first ensure a human and fair relocation plan for these residents. Instead, the railway authorities are using harsh eviction tactics, ignoring the basic human rights of these people. This kind of insensitive policymaking is unacceptable, and must be strongly opposed. Madam, I want to raise concerns about the gradual privatisation of Indian Railways. While the Government claims that privatisation will improve efficiency in reality, it is making train travel more expensive for common people. Introduction of premium trains at high fares, while neglecting affordable sleeper class travel, is a clear sign that the Government is favouring elite passengers over the common man. Rather than strengthening the public railway system, this Government is pushing private investment at the cost of affordability. This is not the vision that the Indian Railways was built upon. Before I finish, I would like to say that the hon. Railway Minister is quick to criticise Ms. Mamata Banerjee and her tenure as a Railway Minister, but let me remind him that Ms. Mamata Banerjee’s tenure is remembered for passenger-friendly policies, introduction of new trains, and a focus on affordable travel. Her initiatives, especially, Duronto Express, Garibrath, and women’s safety measures remain a significant contribution to the Indian Railways. She promoted early trials of ACD (AntiCollision Devices) which later evolved to more advanced technologies like Kavach. She allocated higher funds for track maintenance and accident prevention measures. Her tenure saw the introduction of better signalling systems and CCTV surveillance at key stations. These are just a few of the many things that she did as the Railway Minister. Lastly, hon. Chairperson, I would say that the Indian Railways is not just a mode of transport but it is the backbone of our economy and a symbol of national integration. The lifeline of our nation cannot run on empty promises and delayed projects. If this Government truly cares about railways, let action speak louder than words because development is not measured by announcements but by execution. This Budget lacks the urgency, vision, and accountability that Indian Railways desperately needs. Until real reforms are prioritised, we cannot, in good conscience, support the Demands for Grants. Thank you! Jai Hind! Jai Bangla! Jai Midnapore!

Thank you, Chairperson Sir. First of all, I see that there is a declining budgetary allocation, which is a red flag for growth. The overall Railway budget has seen a decline from Rs.2.92 lakh crore in 2023-24 to Rs.2.65 lakh crore in 2025-26, a drop of over nine per cent. Moreover, the financial year 2025 Budget allocation remains stagnant failing to address rising inflation, increased operational costs, and the urgent need for network expansion. A reduced budget not only slows down the implementation of crucial projects but also impacts service quality and safety. Passenger amenities are on a downward spiral. The allocation for customer amenities, which include maintaining station infrastructure, toilets, ticketing services, and other passenger-centric improvements, has continued to decline from Rs.15,510 crore in FY 2024-25 to 12,118.39 crore in FY 2025-26. This signals a clear neglect of passenger welfare in a sector that caters to millions daily. Inadequate passenger facilities have long been a pain point, and this budget does little to address the gaps. There is a freight corridor Investment cut, which is a blow to the Railways’ future. The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India, a critical PSU responsible for enhancing the efficiency of freight movement, has suffered a drastic budget cut, from Rs.5,499 crore in FY 2024-25 to just Rs.500 crore in FY 2025-26. This 90 per cent reduction severely impacts India’s vision of shifting freight transport from roads to rail, which is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and logistics costs. The Government’s claim of boosting freight efficiency thus rings hollow. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor in West Bengal has stuck in limbo despite land handover. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor stretch in West Bengal continues to be a non-starter in spite of land acquisition having been done by the State Government and Government land settled with the Railways. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) is one of the largest infrastructure projects from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal that stretches about 1839 kms. The first two segments of the EDFC have already been completed and commissioned. The work in the third segment from Sonnagar in Bihar to Dankuni in West Bengal is yet to be commenced and has been pending more than 12 years. This is in spite of substantial land acquisition having been completed and the Government land also settled with the Railways. There is a weak financial health, which is a systemic issue. The Indian Railways’ average revenue expenditure over the last decade has consistently stood at 99 per cent of its revenue income, leaving it with a meagre one per cent surplus to fund capital expenditures internally. The revenue surplus has fallen sharply from Rs.4,913 crore in 2006-17 to Rs.3,260 crore in 2023-24. There is employee-and-labour unrest and growing discontent. There is mounting dissatisfaction among railway employees and labour organizations regarding the 2025-26 budget. The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen has termed it disappointing, citing concerns about privatization, lack of new recruitment, and neglect of workers’ welfare. This Budget fails to provide clarity on Dearness Allowance hikes or permanent employees’ opportunities exacerbating job insecurity in an already sulking workforce. Sir, as per the Budget Estimates, the net earnings/revenues target was Rs. 2,800 crore and the achievement was Rs. 1,341.31 crore. As regards the number of manned LCs removed during the financial year 2024-25, the target was 1,100 and the achievement was 389. In 2024-25, for the total length of line doubling, the target was 2,900 kilometres but the achievement was 1,134 kilometres. As regards the number of stations upgraded, the target was 453 but the achievement was one. As regards the number of ROBs/RUBs constructed during the financial year 2024-25, the target was 1,100 and the achievement was 669. With regard to the closure of manned level crossings, the target was 1,100 and the achievement was 497. Out of 187 new lines project, the target was 20,199 kilometres but the achievement was 2,855 kilometres. As regards doubling of multitracking of 261 projects, the target was 19,570 kilometres and the achievement was 6,218 kilometres. With regard to the safety works related to Level Crossings (LCs), the target was Rs. 710 crore and the achievement was Rs. 476 crore. To develop stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the target was 453 stations and the achievement was one station. With respect to the Revised Estimates for training and Human Resource Development, the target was Rs. 197.52 crore and the achievement was Rs. 130.50 crore. The CAG has raised concerns about the quality, hygiene, affordability, and availability of food to passengers, including the adequacy of catering facilities on stations and trains. The CAG also reported financial losses of Rs. 2,604.40 crore for 2021-22 to the Indian Railways, citing issues like nonrecovery of loans, missed shunting charges, and GST non-compliance. Other flagged areas included unproductive expenditures, and irregular contract awards. From 2020 to 2024, over the last five years, 351 persons died and 970 people were injured in 200 consequential railway accidents, an average of three major accidents per month. In 2024, 29 consequential train accidents occurred alone due to derailments, collisions, fires, and level-crossing errors, resulting in 17 deaths and 81 injuries, including major accidents. Jamtara train accident happened on February 28, 2024. Palgar goods carrier derailment happened on March 29, 2024. Sirhind freight train accident happened on June 2, 2024. Kanchanjunga Express accident happened on June 17, 2024. Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train derailment happened on July 18, 2024. On 22nd January, 2025, 12 train passengers were killed after being struck by another train on an adjacent track after they jumped from their coaches in panic to escape a rumoured fire incident and another six other people were injured in Jalgaon. Sir, 10 women and three children were among 18 people killed in a crowd crush at the New Delhi Railway Station on 15th February, 2025 as thousands of Hindu pilgrims waited to board trains to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela. This is a shame insofar as the country is concerned. Internationally, it has been seen that the Railways has failed and the Railways’ machinery has failed. The Minister of Railways has failed to prevent this incident during Kumbh Mela. No assessment has been done. Nothing has been done. Sir, now, I come to Budget Estimates. In 2010-11, the Budget Estimates were Rs. 41,426 crore. In 2025-26, the Budget Estimates are Rs. 2,65,200 crore. There has been a 6.4-times increase. Now, let us see the fall-out. In 2010-11, the route kilometres of the railways were 64,015 kilometres. It was very less. In 2025-26, it was 69,181 kilometres, which was increased only by 1.08 per cent for long 15 years. As regards the railway employees, in 2010-11, there were 13,28,199 employees, that is, 43.02 per cent of the Central Government employees in the Railways, in 2010-11, when Ms. Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister. Now, there are 11,72,240 employees, roughly 28 per cent of the Central Government employees. This means there is a reduction in the employment of over 11.75 per cent. The operating ratio in 2010-11 was 91.1 per cent. In 2025- 26, it is 98.9 per cent. The key financial metrics reflects that the Railways earned more profit in 2010-11 than in 2024-25. The statistics says this. Now, I come to passenger amenities/service. In 2010-11, it was Rs. 1,302 crore. In 2025-26, the allocation to passenger amenities has been reduced to Rs. 12,118 crore from Rs. 15,510 crore in 2024-25. Except big cities, drinking water, toilets, passenger services like sitting arrangements, cleanliness, platform shelters, restrooms, luggage rooms, especially food and beverage options, and particularly safety are undermarked. No focus has been given on improving crowd management to prevent any untoward incidents. To provide clean and fresh water, the Railways owned six plants in 2010- 11. Now, in 2025-26, the Railways owned only four plants. Sixteen are operational plants and 12 plants are in PPP mode. This has decreased. Sir, regarding upgradation of stations as Adarsh stations, 302 stations were declared as Adarsh stations in 2010-11. This was renamed as Amrit Bharat stations scheme. Out of the proposed 1,337 stations, the work started in 1,198 stations, and only six stations were developed in 2024. There is a big talk of big target. It is a big speech but production is only six. What a production! (We have a saying in Bengali which conveys- much ado about nothing.* So what if it is in Bengali? You understood, right? That’s enough. At least Bengalis should understand what is conveyed. All the Railway Minister is doing, it’s all much ado about nothing. That’s what the people of Bengal need to understand.) Mountain has given birth to a rat. As if they are saying, I don’t want to progress. I don’t want to go ahead in life, brother. I will remain static. I will only talk in rhetoric. Now, I come to the multi-functional complexes. A total of 196 stations were identified for development of multi-functional complexes. In 2024, the Indian Railways refocussed on developing multi-functional complexes at various Railway Stations. No action has been taken so far for grant of lease of land for development. An average of 17,000 trains used to run in 2010-11. Now, in 2025-26, when Vande Bharat, Amrut Bharat and many more trains are introduced, an average of 13,198 trains are there. In 2010-11, approximately 17,000 trains were there. Now, we have 13,198 trains. Now, I come to the issue of average carrying capacity of passengers per day. In 2010-11, about 23 million passengers were there. This included 11.99 million nonsuburban passengers with 0.47 million in reserved categories. Now, in 2025-26, after 14 years, they are standing in the same place. They are standing in the place by saying I am here. What happened to the 23 million passengers? This is what the Railway Minister says. I am standing in the same place. I will not proceed. They are all talk and no action. They don’t walk the talk. You were pining all your hopes on Rekhaji- who seems to be quite the favorite of Modiji. But what happened with that? In 2010-11, about 64,015 kilometres tracks were there. In 2025-26, it is 1,20,000 kilometres. But the major problem faced by the Indian Railways is that the tracks are old and outdated. It lacks repair, and maintenance of tracks and bridges is lacking. A safety device system was introduced. Anti-collision detection and train protection warning system was introduced in 2010-11. Now, in July, 2020, the Kavach system was officially adopted by the Indian Railways as the National Automatic Train Protection System. Out of 15,072 locomotives, only 687 locos and only 521 stations out of 7,461 railway stations are having Kavach Safety Protection System as of 2025-26. Regarding security of women passengers, in 2010-2011, Mahila Bahini comprising twelve companies of women RPF personnel was introduced. It was renamed as Meri Saheli in October 2020. There is a reduction of 12 companies from 700 RPF women personnel. आप लोग कहतेहैंकक हम मकहला केकलए लड़तेहैं।हम ऐसा करतेहैं, र्ैसा करतेहैं, लकेकन मकहला के कलए कुछ नहीं करतेहैं, कसफव बातेंकरतेहैं। Why aren’t you letting me speak? Grow a thick skin to listen to the criticism. Otherwise, how will you become a good minister? Please listen to the criticism. Regarding welfare to railway employees, house for all the railway employees in the next ten years with the help of Ministry of Urban Development was announced. In 2025-26, no such action is proposed. The Central Staff Benefit Fund has been raised from Rs 350 to Rs 500 per employee. Sir, I have a lot of things to say. In respect of gauge conversion, 856-kilometre lines were converted during 2011. In 2024, 134-kilometre lines have been converted. Rs. 44 crore was the actual expenditure for railway research in 2010-2011 and in 2025-26, Rs.27.17 crore is the actual expenditure for railway research till January, 2025 against the allocation of Rs. 72.01 crore. I am sorry, I was informally addressing you due to my habit of doing so during our personal interactions. Do not mind. Please, excuse me. I am very sorry for that. Regarding development of Kashmir Rail, in respect of Quazigund-Anantanag section of Quazigund-Baramulla railway line in Kashmir valley, construction of railway line from Udhampur to Katra and Katra to Quazigund was started in 2011 when Ms. Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister. The Katra-Reasi section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project is yet to start. This is the situation. The Rail Minister is not here. It has been said that special trains during Kumbh or other melas have been started. In 2011, the Railways operated 130 pairs of additional special trains, which made 36,000 trips. About 21,513 special trains were operated in 2024. Around 600 long distance special trains and around 1,000 short distance trains were operated for Kumbh Mela for 50 days. Sir, I am coming to the recruitment. It is very important. In 2010-11, filling up the vacancies of about 1.75 lakh posts in Group C post, Group D post and about 13,000 posts in Railway Protection Force was done for the first time and induction of 16,000 ex-servicemen was made. Examination for 11,558 vacancies in the NonTechnical Popular Categories including 8,113 graduate-level posts and 3,445 undergraduate-level posts was conducted in 2024. There are 42,000 vacancies in Group D posts and 32,000 vacancies in Group C posts. About 2.74 lakh posts in the Railways are lying vacant as of June 2023, with more than 1.57 lakh of them in the safety category. Regarding special support to BPL and poor families, in 2010-11, Izzat Monthly Season Tickets priced at Rs. 25 were issued to persons working in unorganised sectors with monthly income up to Rs. 1,500. In 2025-26, no such support has been approved by this Government. It even suspended the senior citizens’ concession. Sir, I have to mention another important point. Data suggests that over 20,000 posts of Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot have been lying vacant for years, leading to longer shift for train drivers and potentially increasing the chances of human error. Sir, in my earlier speeches also I mentioned it. A Shravani Mela is being organised in Sheoraphuli which is in my constituency. Lakhs and lakhs of people of Sheoraphuli take the water from the Ganges and go to Tarakeshwar temple which is 36 kilometers away from that place. The Tarakeshwar temple belongs to Lord Shiva. There is a railway crossing. This is a very busy train line. If there is half-an-hour stoppage at this line, lakhs and lakhs of people will have to suffer. I had requested the same to the hon. Minister earlier. Today, this morning, also, I requested the MoS, but he gives a good smile but never keeps his promise. Sir, this is very much needed. I request the hon. Railway Minister to look into the safety of lakhs and lakhs of people. This is an issue of emotional sentiment of the Hindu people of West Bengal. Kindly, do it for those who are taking the water from the Ganges, and going to Tarakeshwar temple. Second, the Metro Rail has gone up to Howrah. I request you to kindly extend it up to Bandel, so that we can also go. I have made this request many a time. Again, I am requesting with folded hand to the Railway Minister to look into these problems of ours. You are a Minister. You do not go by the party or the religion. I request you to do it for the people of this country. I request you to do something for us. If you do not do, next time, I will win by 2,50,000 votes. You cannot stop me. Thank you, Sir.

सर, रेल केबारेमेंबोलनेसेपहलेजो बात आती है, िह सेफ्टी एडं वसक्योररटी की आतीहै। सेफ्टीपरबोलनेसेपहलेसबकोपताहैवक लास्ट दो- तीन सालों सेरले िेका क्या हाल हैऔर वकतनेएक्सीडेंट्स हुए हैं। कंपेनसेंशन आप चाहेदो लाख देंया दो करोड़ रुपयेदें, लेवकन जो लोगएक्सीडेंट्स मेंमरतेहैं, िेकभीिापस नहीं आते हैं। कंपेनसेंशन कभी बेटेको िापस नहीं ला सकता। कंपेनसेशन कभी वपता को िापस नहीं ला सकता। कंपेनसेंशन कभी मााँका प्यारिापस नहीं ला सकताहै, इसवलए वजतनेभी एक्सीडेंट्स हो रहेहैं, िेक्यों हो रहेहैं, इस पर ध्यान देना बहुत जरूरी है। सर लोकल ट्रेनों का हाल बहुत बुरा है। मैंएक बार वदल्ली रले िेस्टेशन पर गई थी। मैं सामनेदेख रही थी वक एक ट्रेन आ रही है। उस ट्रेन के थ्री वटयर मेंछ: लोगों की जगह होगी, लेवकन िहांपर कम सेकम 20 लोगबैठेथे।िहांपरबच्चेको वखड़की सेधक्का मारकर अंदर धकेला गया था। ऐसा नहीं था वक बच्चेको बैठाया गया था, क्योंवक बच्चेके जानेसेउसको सीट वमल जाएगी, उसकेबाद उसके मा-ाँबापपीछेसेजाएगं े। मैंनेिहांपरपूछा वक यह कौन सी ट्रेन हैतो पता चला वक वबहार जानेिाली ट्रेन है। मैंनेसोचा वक एक सेडेढ़ घंटेकी जनी होगी, लेवकन पता चला वक िेकल शाम तक वबहार पहुचेंगे। वजस ट्रेन मेंबच्चेऔर मााँको धक्का मारकर अंदर भेजनापड़ताहै, जहांछ: लोगों की जगहपर20 लोगबैठतेहैं, एक वदन और एक रात उसमेंचलतेहैं, िह जगह एक एक्सीडेंट सेभी खतरनाक जगह बन जाती है। इसेरेलिे वमवनस्टर को देखना चावहए। आप िेवटंग वलस्ट के बारेमेंबोलतेहैं। मझुेिेवटंग वलस्ट मेंपता नहीं चलता है। मान लीवजए ट्रेन मेंटोटल सीट्स 200 लोगों की हैतो 200 केबाद और 200 की िेवटंग वलस्ट दे रहेहैं। इसका मतलबहैवक अगर एक सीट कैंवसल होगी तो दूसरेव्यवि की वक्लयरहो जाएगी, उसमेंरले िेका कोई लॉस नहीं हो रहा है, विर भी आप कैंवसल करनेके वलए 20 रुपयेप्लस जीएसटी लेरहेहैं। लास्ट मूिमेंट पर कैंवसल करनेपर 60 रुपयेप्लस जीएसटी लेरहेहैं। क्या आपको पता हैवक आरटीआई ररपोटय के वहसाब सेिषय2019 से2023 तक कैंवसलेशन मेंरले िेकी इनकम 6113.31 करोड़ रुपयेकी हुई है। िेवटंग वलस्ट कैंवसलेशन में 1229.85 करोड़ रुपयेकी इनकम हुई है। इनकम केवलए यहवजसकाआइवडयाहै, िहरेल केवलएबहुत अच्छाहै, लेवकन पवब्लक के वलए क्या अच्छा ह? ै वजसको ट्रेन मेंलास्ट मूिमेंट तक वटकट नहीं वमलता ह, ैिह वटकट कैंवसल करिाता है। वटकट कैंवसलेशन मेंलोगों के ऊपर टॉचयर हो रहा है। 8 बजेरेलिेकी ऑनलाइन बवुकंग होती है, िह बहुत अच्छी व्यिस्था है। लेवकन ऑनलाइन वटकट के वलए आपको पता हैवक 60 डेज पहलेवटकट की बवुकंग शुरू होती है। अगर आप8 बजेऑनलाइन वटकट बकु करगेंेतो तीन वमनट मेंही सारी वटकट बकु हो जातीहैं। यह कैसेहोताहै? जब तक मैंऑनलाइन वटकट लेनेके वलए जातीह ं तब तक तीन वमनट मेंिह िुल हो जाती है। यह कैसे हो सकता ह? ै यह पवब्लक का हैरासमेंट, टाउट का हैरासमेंट एक जैसा ही रहा, लेवकन कुछ सॉल्यूशन मेंआया नहीं है। एमपीज़ की जो ररक्िैस्ट ह, ैहम लोग अपनी कॉन्द्स्टीट्यूएसं ी कीबार-बार ररक्िैस्ट करते हैं, रले की सबसेज्यादा ररक्िैस्ट एमपीज़ की तरि सेआती हैं, लेवकन बार-बार वचट्ठी या प्रपोजल देनेकेबाद भी उसका वसिय आंसर आताहै, कोई काम नहींहोताहै।हर प्रपोजल, हर वब्रज को बनानेमेंदस साल लगतेहैं, सात साल लगतेहैं, 15 साल लगतेहैं। अगर कोई भी प्रोजेक्ट को इतनेसाल तक बढ़ाएगं ेतो उसका बजट भी बढ़ जाता ह, ै उसकी कॉस्ट भी बढ़ जाती है। विर उसकी कॉस्ट ज्यादा होनेके कारण उसेबंद कर देतेहैं। जो भी प्रपोजल बने, आपपहलेिालेको वक्लयर करें, यह मेरी ररक्िैस्ट है। मेरी कॉन्द्स्टीट्यूएसं ी मेंरात 1 बजेकेबाद सबुह सात बजेतक िधयमान सेरामपरुहाट, नलहाटी, मुरारई, राजग्राम, पाकुड़ तक कोई ट्रेन नहींहै। यहांसेलोकल लोग जातेहैं।िेस्कूल के वलए जातेह, ैंटीचसयजातेह, ैंडॉक्टसयजातेहैं, कोई टाइम पर नहीं पहुंच सकता है। इसवलए मैंयह ररक्िैस्ट करना चाहती ह ं वक 6.30 बजेिधयमान-तीनपहाड़ ट्रेन शरूु की जाए।बुलेट ट्रेन या वकसी एक-दो ट्रेन के कारण िहां लोकल ट्रेन लेट हो रही हैऔर हर वदन लेट हो रही है। इसकेकारण स्टूडेंट्स लेट हो रहेहैं। रामपरुहाट स्टेशन मेंट्रेन कीबहुत जरूरत है, क्योंवक िहा पर तारापीठ मंवदर है, जहांपर बहुत लोग आतेहैं। ट्रेन का जो वसस्टम है, िह बहुत खराब है। आसनसोल मालदा टाउन एक्सप्रेस जो नई ट्रेन है, उसको चालूकरनेके वलए मैंररक्िैस्ट कर रही ह ं। जो एनरोचमेंट होता ह, ै एनरोचमेंट को हटानेके वलए रेल मंत्रालय बहुत साल लगा देता है। िहां जो लोकल लोग हैं, लोकल ऑविससयनेिहांएनरोचमेंट हटा भी वदया, उसका प्रपोजल बनानेमेंऔर भी दो साल लगा देतेहैंतब तक िेलोग िहां विर सेआ जातेहैं। विर बोलतेहैंवक एनरोचमेंट हटाओ और िेअचानक आकर एनरोचमेंट हटा देतेहैं। मेरेयहां रामपरुहाट, हररजन पल्ली मेंकसईपाड़ा डाक बंगलेमें100 सालों सेलोग रहतेहैं। िेलोग अचानक आकर रास्ता ब्लॉक कर रहेहैं।िहांपर जो लोग रहतेहैं, उनकेआने-जानेका रास्ता हैही नहीं। मेरी यहररक्िैस्ट हैवक अगररेल मंत्रालय को कुछ भी काम करनाहै, एक तो ररक्िैस्ट करनेके दस साल केबाद उसका आंसर आता ह, ै वमवनस्टर को होश आता हैवक दस साल बाद कुछ करना हैऔर उसकेबाद भी 10 साल लगा देतेहैं। हम लोग वजतनेएमपीज़ हैं, चाहे 15 साल सेहों या20 साल सेहों, नेक्स्ट जनरशे न को उसका िल वमलेगा। वमवनस्ट्री नेबोला था वक िषय2023 तक 100 परसेंट इलैवक्ट्रविकेशन का काम हो जाएगा। िषय2025 मेंअभी तक 40 परसेंट हुआ है। … (व्यिधान) मैंकनक्लूड कर रही ह ं। राजधानी ट्रेन मेंिस्टयक्लास मेंहॉकसयजा रहेहैं, जो सामान सेल कर रहेहैं। मैंनेपूछा वक क्या है? िह बोल रहा हैवक टारगेट वदया हैवक एक लाख रुपयेका सामान बेचना पड़ेगा।िह िस्टय क्लास मेंकॉिी बेच रहा ह, ै मोमो बेच रहा ह, ैवजससेवसक्योररटी िालों को भी प्रॉब्ल्म हो रही है। … ैंयहबात कहकर अपनीबात खत् म करूं गी। मझुेबहुत सारीबातेंकरनी थीं। मैंबुलेट ट्रेन औरिन्द्देभारत ट्रेन केबारेमेंबात करना चाहतीह ं वक यह वबरयानी जैसी है। वजस देश मेंलोग चािल, रोटी, दाल नहीं खा पातेहैं, उसके वलए वबरयानी बहुत बड़ी बात है। िन्द्देभारत ट्रेन बड़ेलोगों के वलए हैऔर बहुत अच्छी ट्रेन है। लेवकन वजसकेपास चािल, रोटी, भात, दाल खानेके वलए नहींहै, उनके वलए वबरयानी कोई मायनेनहीं रखती। इसवलए मैं बोलना चाहतीह ं वक बुलेट ट्रेन यािन्द्देभारत ट्रेन पर आपवजतनाध्यान देरहेहैं, उससेज्यादा ध्यान लोकल ट्रेन्द्स पर दीवजए, क्योंवक उसमेंन लाइट होतीहै, न बाथरूम होताहै। उसमेंकुछ नहीं होता है। मेरी यह ररक्िैस्ट हैवक िंदेभारत ट्रेन बड़ेलोगों के वलए है, अदानी, अंबानी के वलए है। लेवकन आप लोकल ट्रेन केबारेमें, सब लोगों केबारेमेंसोचें, वजसकेिोट सेआप लोग जीत कर आतेहैंऔर वजसकेिोट सेहम लोग जीत कर आतेहैं। थैंक यू।

अध्यक्ष महोदय, हम यह जानतेहैंवक जेिसीसी कल्चरल एवक्टववटीज मेंबहुत ही महत्वपूणबरोल अदा करता है, लेवकन बहुत बार यह पाया गया हैऔर कई बार जब हम लोग कमेटी के टूर पर भी जातेहैंतो कल् चरल प्रोग्राम्स होतेहैं, उसमेंअवधकतर प्रोफेशनल्स होतेहैं, वजनको बलुाया जाता है, लेवकन स्थानीय लोगवहाां नहीं आ पातेहैं। मैंमाननीय मांत्री जी सेआपके माध्यम सेजानना चाहताह ां वक स्थानीय लोगों कोबढ़ावा देने के वलए, वहाां के ऑथेंवटक जो नत्ृय, गान या दूसरेकलचर हैं, उसको बढ़ावा देनेके वलए सरकार क्या कर रही ह? मैंउसी कमेटी मेंगया था, इसवलए यह प्रश्न पूछाहै। मैंइससे पहलेभीवषब1999 सेटूर मेंजाता रहा ह ां।