February 5, 2018
Derek O’Brien makes Zero Hour mention on Govt plan to remove 8 railway routes in Bengal & thus deprive the state, and fuel price hike
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Sir, in Bengal eight routes have been planned to be stopped by the Railways. This would cause a lot of hardship to passengers. The eight routes are Burdwan-Katwa, Sonarpur-Canning, Shantipur-Nabadwip Ghat, Ballygunge-Budge Budge, Kalyani-Kalyani Simanta, Barasat-Hasnabad, Baruipur-Namkhana and Bhimgarh-Palasthali. The Centre is thus making a mockery of federalism. The passengers, as it is, are facing a lot of hardship because of the rise in fuel prices – of petrol and diesel. So the railway is the only option for the people. By doing this without consulting the State Government, the common people who use the railways, not only in Bengal but throughout the country, would face a lot of problems.
The details regarding the scrapping of these routes have not been given in the Railway Budget. Bengal is being deprived without any reason; and all this along with the rise in fuel prices. We demand the Railway Minister to make a statement on this issue to assure this House, to assure the people of Bengal that these railway routes will not be stopped in Bengal because this is making a mockery of federalism.
Thank you, Sir
