January 17, 2014
WB CM pushes for speedy completion of metro projects in Kolkata
Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee had a meeting with chief secretary and the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited MD at Nabanna on Thursday to give a nudge to the Joka-BBD Bag and New Garia-Airport Metro projects that have run into several roadblocks.
The State Government may decide to waive the Rs 256 crore that the KMDA had demanded from RVNL, the implementing agency of the two projects. The KMDA charges the fee if any agency uses its land for construction purposes.
The Chief Minister also asked the urban development department to instruct the KMDA to issue a no-objection certificate to RVNL so it can continue work on laying tracks on the Bypass for the New Garia-Airport project,” said a source.
The Chief Minister made it clear that she wants the work to pick up pace and assured us of all support to ensure speedy execution of the two projects.
The Chief Minister`s intervention was an indication of how the government has changed its attitude towards infrastructure projects that are floundering because of encroachment and other reasons.
The meeting also decided that an IIT expert will be requested to conduct a study for building a pier on the Eastern Drainage Canal for which the urban development department is yet to issue a clearance. The pier will be part of the New Garia-Airport project.
