Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today criticised the Centre’s proposal to close eight non-viable suburban railway routes and termed it as an insult to the Bengal government.

The Eastern Railway has recently informed the state about the proposal and requested the latter to share the financial burden that is incurred in plying trains on these routes. It said it could run the routes only if the state government shared 50 per cent of the burden.

The routes are ~ Sonarpur-Canning, Shantipur-Nabadwipghat, Barasat-Hasnabad, Kalyani-Kalyani simanta, Ballygunge-Budge Budge, Baruipur-Namkhana, Burdwan-Katwa and Bhimghar-Palasthali.
“This is a sheer effort to deprive our government. It is an insult to Bengal. We will not tolerate this insult. The trains on the routes termed unprofitable were started during my tenure as Railway minister. This is nothing less than a political vengence. We won’t accept the decision of the Railway ministry,” said Miss Banerjee.

The Centre, she further said, takes away Rs 50,000 crore every year and now they are asking the state to pay 50 per cent for the loss-making projects. We strongly object to this, she added.
In a letter dated 17 January, Mr SS Gehlot, chief commercial manager of Eastern Railway has written to state chief secretary Moloy De to consider its proposal of either closure or sharing the loss of ‘un-economic branch lines’.

According to the letter: “The operation of commercially viable lines, which is source of sustained loss being borne by the Indian Railways has been commented upon by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament in their 42nd report as well as through their 88th report on the Action Taken note submitted by the Railways ministry.

“PAC has strongly impressed upon the Ministry of Railways to seek consent of state government so as to secure closure of such loss- making lines.

“Accordingly my predecessor had sought the state government’s consent for closure of the lines. In case, however, these are to be retained in public interest, state government’s agrement was requested for sharing the burden of loss of working lines at least in the 50:50 ratio, with Eastern Railway.

“We are yet to recieve the views of the state government on the issue. I would, therefore, request your personal intervention in examining our request expeditiously and communicate the state’s decision in the matter.”