Kolkata-Howrah Suburban, Kolkata Circular, West Bengal Railways

[studdmanster]

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday confirmed that the fourth passenger terminal in the city would come up at Majherhat and promised to improve Calcutta’s transport network.

“The alternative terminal at Majherhat has been sanctioned. The multi-functional complex will also come up there,” Mamata said at a programme to inaugurate a computerised passenger reservation system at Thakurpukur on Sunday.

“The plans are in their final stages and an extensive survey is going on. Work is expected to start soon,” said a senior railway official.

The integrated terminal will be accessible through a host of roads, including one on top of a 300m-long single-span rail bridge over the Hooghly.

The bridge will link Majherhat with Sankrail in Howrah. Once the terminal is ready, several trains from western and southern India will be diverted to Majherhat from Sankrail, 17km from Howrah station.

“It will take around two years to build the bridge,” added the official.

“The terminal and multi-functional complex will help Behala, Diamond Harbour, Bishnupur, Mahestala and adjoining areas to develop into an industrial zone,” said Mamata.

According to railway officials, Mamata resurrected the project, which was shelved for years, after taking over as railway minister.

The railway is also planning elevated tracks from Majherhat to Joka.

“There is a need to bring rail to this area. However, we don’t want to acquire land or demolish buildings. If the state government gives us one metre of land beside the footpath, then the railway can build pillars for elevated tracks. Either circular rail or mono rail can be operated on the tracks,” said the railway minister.

A railway official said the survey for the 8.75km stretch between Majherhat and Joka had been completed by Metro Railway and a proposal to build the elevated tracks at a cost of Rs 800 crore had been sent to the Railway Board for approval.


Source: The Telegraph

[sidney_jec]

the new terminal at Chitpore is still under utilized and there are plans to upgrade Shalimar as well..
and now this..does she want to construct terminals for the sake of it..
a proper survey and feasibility studies should be carried out before they even think of constructing it..

[studdmanster]

Originally Posted by sidney_jec

the new terminal at Chitpore is still under utilized and there are plans to upgrade Shalimar as well..
and now this..does she want to construct terminals for the sake of it..
a proper survey and feasibility studies should be carried out before they even think of constructing it..

most probably because keeping in mind the hot seat for 2011...she has to do sumthng so that the pple bleve her and vote her party

[arindam_laketown]

Originally Posted by Suncity

She is probably spinning yarn and the journalists are just lapping it up without questioning.



Heard that the state government has agreed to hand over Singur land to Miss Mamata's railways. Let's see if she can really set up any railway wagon factory there.

* source TOI-9/12/09

CM lobs Singur ball in Mamata court
State Govt To Hand Over Plot To Railway Ministry To Set Up Wagon Factory
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata/Singur: After being put on the mat by Trinamool Congress in Singur, CPM has come up with a surprise move to outmanoeuvre Mamata Banerjee on the land issue. In a decision with wide political ramifications, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government decided on Tuesday to hand over the controversy-ridden plot to the railway ministry to set up a wagon factory, just as the Trinamool chief had proposed.
It’s just over a year since the Tatas moved the Nano project out of Singur after stiff opposition from Trinamool.
Chief secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti broke the news, saying that he had written to the Railway Board chairman on Monday, expressing the state’s willingness to hand over the Singur land in response to the railway minister’s proposal.
Mamata had floated her plan to build a wagon unit in Singur, with ancillaries in Dankuni, at a time when the state government was toying with the idea of setting up a 1,600-MW power plant on the site along with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
With Bhel turning down the proposal as “unfeasible and unviable”, the government jumped on the idea of using the land to try and checkmate Mamata on her own turf. If she fails to deliver on her pledge to Singur’s disenchanted people, the government can use it to its advantage in the assembly polls.
The move, though seemingly an administrative decision, has more to do with political considerations because both parties involved in this business deal — the state government and the railway ministry — are led by politicians known for their political and personal dispositions. A section in Trinamool, including Singur’s Krishi Jami Raksha Committee convener Becharam Manna, may celebrate the government’s “giving in” to Mamata’s offer, but the truth is that the state has dropped a hot potato in her hands. The Union minister has been left to handle the land dispute herself.
Within hours of the announcement, the battle had begun. Leader of opposition in the assembly, Partha Chattopadhyay, said the railway ministry would set up the wagon unit on 600 acres and the state would have to return the remaining 400 acres to the unwilling farmers. This was followed by a counter-demand from CPM’s Hooghly leader Anil Basu. The former MP held that there was no valid ground for the return of 400 acres, as landowners of only 131 acres within the acquired site have refused compensation cheques.
As the political debate got hotter, the chief secretary stoked the industry dream yet again by saying that the government would soon hold a meeting with the Tatas to get back the leased land. He said he has written to Railway Board chairman S S Khurana for a written proposal on the wagon unit before the government goes ahead with the land transfer. Singur again swings between hope and despair
Kolkata/Singur: The process of handing over the controversial Singur land will not be easy. The Tatas — if they agree to return the plot — will give it to West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) that had leased out the acquired land. It is up to WBIDC to give it back to the land and land reforms department — a cumbersome process.
Also, before setting up the wagon factory, the state has to return 400 acres of land, which is a condition set by Trinamool. There are instances where the high court quashed the state’s acquisition notification, as it was done by the Allahabad high court in case of the Dadri power project.
The acquisition process in Singur, however, has been upheld by Calcutta high court. Senior lawyers, such as Satyabrata Mukherjee, had observed that land once acquired could not be returned under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
At ground zero in Singur, the government’s proposal met with mixed reactions renewing the blame game among local politicians and farmers. Krishna Ghosh of Gopalnagar Ghoshpara, whose 45 bighas lie within the acquired site, said: “I got compensation from the state government. In addition, the Tatas engaged me in their medical unit. Now I am left in the lurch. I have no job and the interest on the money I got as compensation is less than my earlier income from land. Politics has turned Singur into a cursed land.”
Once the owner of 75 bighas, Swarup Barui’s plight is worse. “The Tatas had offered a job to my family and also assured business opportunities. But Trinamool did not allow that. Now the victims like us are left in the lurch,” Barui said.


PLOT THICKENS? The state may use the land to checkmate Mamata



LAND QUESTION STILL LOOMS: The abandoned Nano factory in Singur

[studdmanster]

With youth being the political buzzword considering India's demographic profile, railways is set to roll out Mamata Banerjee's brainchild `Yuva Trains', dedicated to the young.

The `Yuva Trains' -- low-cost, air-conditioned with only sitting arrangements -- are targeted mainly at unemployed youths.

According to sources, the trains will run for distances ranging from 1,000 km to 2,500 km. The fare will be Rs 229 for distances up to 1,500 km and Rs 399 for distances upto 2,500 km, including all other charges like reservation fee, superfast charge and development charge.

`Yuva' train fares can be availed by unemployed persons between the age group of 15 to 45 years who fulfill the criteria of having a certificate issued under NREGA or registration card issued by a government employment exchange.

In case the above certificates do not specify age, an age certificate like identity card, ration card, driving licence, passport, educational certificate or any other recognised document on which date of birth is recorded must also be carried in original.

Initially, 60% of the coaches on such trains will be earmarked for Yuva category. The remaining will be earmarked for general passengers (non-Yuva) which will be reviewed after six months of introduction of these trains. "A weekly service will be introduced as a pilot project in Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata sectors," said an official, adding that if successful, it will be extended to other routes.

"These trains will be introduced between major cities to ensure that the youth and low-income groups can travel at low fares. The idea is to connect the youth in rural hinterlands with major metro cities," Banerjee had earlier said.

The trains are likely to have AC double-decker coaches and run at 150 km per hour. The double-decker coaches will be equipped with chair cars like Shatabdi trains, an official said.

[studdmanster]

Source: Star Ananda

Foundation stone for Dakhineshwar - Dumdum line to be laid on 4th Jan, 2010

[studdmanster]

Source: Sify News

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will flag off a bouquet of express trains from major Kolkata stations to Amritsar, Bangalore, Bikaner and Delhi Dec 30, an official said.

The new trains are the Howrah-Delhi Yuva express, the Howrah-Bangalore Duranto Express, the Sealdah-Amritsar Express and the Howrah-Bikaner express.

Sixty percent of the Yuva express seats will be reserved for people upto the age of 45 with the tickets ranging from Rs.299 for 1,000 km to Rs.399 for 2,500 km.

The Duranto express - a non-stop train that is a brainchild of Banerjee - will ferry passengers from Howrah to Bangalore in less than one-and-half days.

Speaking at a programme here, Banerjee said she would lay the foundation for the proposed Metro Rail project from Dakhineshwar to DumDum on January 2.

'We will also lay the foundation stone of Dakhineshwar to Dum Dum metro rail project on Dec 2. It will provide a more comfortable journey to the devotees of the goddess Kali temple at Dakhineshwar,' Banerjee said after laying the foundation for two railway factories in this Hooghly district town - Dankuni

[Bombay2Calcutta]

Mamata rolls out rly sops for Nadia
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


Ranaghat (Nadia): It was railway minister Mamata Banerjee’s first official programme in Nadia on Thursday and people knew exactly what to seek from her. Soon after Mamata ended her speech, the crowd asked for railway jobs. The minister was not taken aback, though, and used the situation to her advantage.
“The railways cannot provide jobs to everyone. However, you can apply through the proper channel. There are jobs available in other sectors as well. We will certainly look into that if we come to power. There is a lot that can be done for this area. Many more projects will come up if we get the time and are voted to power,” Mamata said
She was in Ranaghat to officially announce gauge conversion of the Shantipur junction-Krishnagar City junction-Nabadwip Ghat narrow gauge section. Conversion of the 28-km stretch into broad gauge has been sanctioned and the first phase of work between Shantipur and Krishnagar City (at a cost of Rs 34.85 crore) will start soon.
While this will result in the end of the road for one of the last narrow gauge sections in the country (this one started in 1899), the broad gauge link will connect Kolkata to Mayapur directly via Nabadwip Ghat.
“Work will start from Friday. To enable our people to work, narrow gauge services will remain suspended. There will be some additional buses to take care of passengers. Our second project is to start work on double lines between Krishnagar City junction and Bethuadahari. Doubling work in part of the 127.67-km Krishnagar City junction-Lalgola section has already started and will end by May. The new project of 28 km is expected to cost Rs 148.54 crore,” Mamata said. The Krishnagar City junction-Lalgola section is one of the most i m p o r t a n t ones under Eastern Railway. Though there is a demand for a large number of trains along this section, only nine pairs can be run now due to the single track. Officials believe capacity will increase manifold once doubling is completed.
“I have many plans lined up for this part of the state. Before long, we will start running 12-coach EMU rakes from Sealdah. The ladies’ special between Sealdah and Kalyani will be extended up to Ranaghat. When new rakes are available, we will also run another ladies’ special between Sealdah and Krishnagar. This will help commuters from Ranaghat as well. I also have plans for a third line in the Sealdah-Krishnagar section. I will process the matter and make necessary provisions in the next budget,” the railway minister said.
According to observers, the large number of projects for Ranaghat and its surrounding areas was a “gift” for those people who have stood by her. The Ranaghat Municipality is now run by Trinamool, thanks to mass defection by a majority of councillors. Ranaghat also voted Sucharu Haldar to power with a thumping majority in the last Lok Sabha polls.

[rupakd]

Pawan Ruia-controlled Jessop has written a letter to Railway minister Mamata Banerjee stating that it could not supply coaches to railways for non-availability of wheels.
It has argued that the wheels were supposed to be supplied by the ministry free of cost. It may be noted that Banerjee has alleged that Jessop is not fulfilling its commitments on delivery. “We have order of three rakes consisting 27 coaches. Almost 80% of production is complete. At this stage we are compelled to slow down the production for non availability of wheels,” the letter says.
It has pointed out that the company is maintaining the tradition of quality. The inspecting agencies of the ministry had also cleared it after stringent quality tests.
According to the letter, issued on January 7, the company has 1130 pending orders of wagons of various types. “Out of these, 765 have been allotted by railway ministry on November 4, 2009 which have contractual delivery period till March 31, 2010. Prototype of these wagons are under manufacturing stage at our workshop. A set of 200 wagons having delivery period till March 31, 2010 is also under manufacturing process,” the letter said.
Ruia firm has also tried to assure Banerjee by saying that the production at different workshops of Jessop has been stabilized. The company sought new orders by saying, “We are consistently delivering the coaches and wagons. We also bring to your notice that our capacity is almost idle. We had made request for additional orders of coaches and a decision is pending.”

Source: TNN

[SarafIndian]

Photo cc JOYDIP SINHA

EMU towards kharagpur over kolaghat bridge


EMU at Kolaghat station


EMU pasing through picturesque kolaghat station during autumn

[Bombay2Calcutta]

cool pics saraf

[Bombay2Calcutta]

TOI
Didi in a hurry gets 4 metro clearances
New Delhi: An unrelenting railway minister ensured a lively debate at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs meeting on Thursday.
The Cabinet notes on several of Mamata Banerjee’s proposals, sources said, had been provided to other concerned ministries and agencies at the last moment, indicating the rush with which the railway ministry wanted the projects to move through. The finance ministry, the planning commission and the environment ministry were not fully on board with the plans.
“While the funding pattern was not detailed for the ‘economically unviable’ projects, the required approval from extended railway board was also not taken by the rail ministry,” said sources present in the meeting.
A railway ministry official said: “The entire exercise was done in haste to announce Bengal-centric projects in the coming rail budget.”
Among the 14 projects proposed, four were for the extension of the Kolkata Metro. The metro proposal was among the four new projects cleared. The projects are Durga Nagar to Barrackpore at the cost of around Rs 2,000 crore, Joka to BBD Bag at Rs 2,619 crore, Dum Dum to Barasat at Rs 2,432 crore and extension of the Garia link at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore.
The Cabinet notes for most of the projects were circulated in the morning, just when the Cabinet assembled, without serious consultation.

[Bombay2Calcutta]

Read the drama at the cabinet committee meeting

http://www.business-standard.com/ind...-tears/386283/

[Suncity]

And in 2011 Miss Drama Queen looks set to become the CM of Bengal. She will absolutely delight the masses and the media with her theatrics.

[studdmanster]

cc: TNN

There is reason behind Mamata Banerjee’s desperation to get railway projects cleared by the Union cabinet. The Railway Budget on Wednesday is an extremely crucial one for her political future in Bengal.
With the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and other important civic bodies across the state going to the polls in the next few months and the assembly elections in the state scheduled for 2011, all eyes will be on what Mamata has in store for the state.
According to insiders, Mamata has both the urban and rural voter in mind. After all, the 2010-11 budget will be a litmus test for her even for the 2011 polls. Though the 2011-12 budget will be placed before the state goes to the polls, she will hardly get any time to implement new projects before the election code of conduct comes into place.
“She has not done too badly in the first year. Though Mamata has been criticised by some for using railway projects as platforms for political gain, people are not complaining. People had expectations from her and she fulfilled them. Nearly all the trains announced in the 2009-10 budget have been flagged off. In fact, a few more trains were added to the initial list. Her greatest success may have been the three Duronto Expresses from Sealdah and Howrah. Though some people had taken her announcement with a pinch of salt, these nonstop trains have become extremely popular,” a senior railway officer said.
According to sources, Mamata will lay stress on urbancentric issues such as better amenities, connectivity, facilities, jobs and services. The railway minister has plans to tie up with major hospitals like CMC, Vellore and AIIMS for affordable healthcare facilities. Some progress has been made in the setting up of industrial units in the state. If everything goes according to plan, Dankuni will develop into an industrial hub in the next couple of years. Mamata has already got some public sector undertakings involved in manufacturing units she proposes to set up across the state. The railways has also asked the state forest department to return land (now used for plantation) for a power project in Adra.
“There have been some significant developments in the last few months. The railways is tying up with IIT for the setting up of a railway research institute. Mamata’s setting-up of an expert committee to look into industrialisation is also a step in the right direction. She has also roped in the expertise of Sam Pitroda and before long communications on board trains may reach a different level altogether. There has been a marked improvement in the kind of amenities provided to passengers on trains. These are bound to please the urban voter,” another officer said.

[Bombay2Calcutta]

TNN
Kolkata: Railway officials, both serving and retired, believe that Mamata Banerjee has succeeded in making her intentions — of seeking overall development of West Bengal — clear in the 2009-10 budget. In the 2010-11 railway budget, she should concentrate on infrastructural development and improving connectivity.
“One project that needs to be taken up in earnest is electrification and development of the Sahibganj loop. This will not only speed up trains like the Darjeeling Mail, but boost freight movement between North Bengal, the northeastern states and the rest of the country. Once trains like Darjeeling Mail can move at speeds of 110 kmph along this stretch, travel time will go down and passengers will benefit,” a former railway chief operations manager said.
Officials believe announcements of new trains may be populist but will not be beneficial. “Given the size of the country and the population, any number of trains will run to full capacity. What is required are more tracks. There is severe congestion beyond Mughalsarai. This can only be solved through new infrastructure. To prepare for the additional freight traffic that the railways will have to handle in years to come, plans should be made for a fourth line in the Howrah-Burdwan chord section,” the retired official said.
According to him, Kolkata will benefit immensely if the railways come up with new mass transit options. He proposes a new branch of the Metro Railway from New Garia to Swabhumi along the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. The elevated line between Dum Dum Cantonment and the airport should also be doubled, he believes.
“If the north-south Metro can pass along the EM Bypass, people will benefit immensely. From Swabhumi, commuters can take the East-West Metro up to Dalhousie. Airline passengers can make an interchange at Central station. The Circular Railway tracks should also be elevated and doubled. I have also felt that an arc between the Dhakuria and Lake Gardens stations is extremely essential. If this happens, trains from the Sealdah South section can reach Majerhat and come to Dalhousie without touching Ballygunge. Elevated tracks from Majerhat to Joka will also be very popular. The railways is not short of funds and such projects will be extremely beneficial for the people,” he said.
S R Thakur, who was an additional general manager, also believes that the Circular Railway tracks should be elevated to reduce bottlenecks. He also lays stress on improvement of facilities at Howrah and Sealdah. “More attention should be paid to the 15 lakh existing suburban passengers before new branch lines are opened. Reorganisation is required both at Sealdah and Howrah. The severe congestion at Dum Dum can be solved through a flyover. Though the flyover was planned long ago, it is yet to be sanctioned. There is also need to plan better commuter dispersal facilities at Sealdah and Howrah. Plans should also be made to accommodate 12-coach (later 15-coach) suburban rakes at Sealdah from the north section. For this the bridge over a canal will need to be extended and changes will have to be made in the DRM Building and the carshed,” he said.
Thakur says a new passenger terminal at Dankuni could be a possibility. Passengers using this terminal can get the benefits of NH-2 and 6 as well as the Nivedita Setu. A new line in the Howrah yard (from under Benaras Bridge) to the South Eastern Railway will also reduce congestion to a large extent.
SER officials believe Mamata will lay more stress on the Adra division this time. Among the projects likely to be taken care of are the line between Bishnupur and Mukutmanipur and doubling of tracks between Kharagpur and Gokulpur via Giri Maidan. For maintenance purposes, there will be need for more carsheds. The railway ministry will have to start planning for these soon as acquisition of land will get more difficult as days progress.

What Bengal & Kolkata may look for in the budget

• Electrification of the Sahibgunj Loop for better movement between north Bengal and Kolkata

• Laying of new lines to reduce congestion beyond Mughalsarai

• A fourth line between Dankuni and Burdwan to aid freight movement

• Extension of the Metro Railway from New Garia to Swabhumi along the E M Bypass

• Doubling of the elevated track to the city airport

• Elevation of Circular Railway tracks

• Direct connectivity from the Sealdah South section to Majerhat bypassing Ballygunge

• Better dispersal facilities at Howrah and Sealdah

• A flyover at Dum Dum to reduce congestion

• A new passenger terminal at Dankuni

[studdmanster]

cc: ET

10000cr to be spend just in Kolkata and 9 new railway hospitals are in Mamta's rader

[studdmanster]

cc: TNN

With her eyes firmly focussed on the West Bengal elections next year, railway minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee will kick off her poll campaign with a huge bounty of projects expected to be announced for the state, as she presents the railway budget on Wednesday.
Of the 24 major projects that the railway minister had placed before the Cabinet for clearance, 14 were for her home state. Mamata managed to wrangle assurances from finance minister Pranab Mukherjee for most of the funds over the last weekend, after high drama at the Cabinet meet that saw an emotional outburst as well as making up with Mukherjee and getting her way.
Among the new projects, Mamata has ensured that she allocates some for north Bengal in the hope of extending her support base in the region. North Bengal still remains out of bounds for TMC, where Congress is strong.
Of the good number of hospitals and educational institutions, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, to come up on railway land, most are planned for Bengal. For instance, nine of the 41 hospitals including medical colleges are in the state.
For Mamata, who has cleverly chosen to cater to common people’s needs through connectivity, setting up of educational institutions and medical facilities in Bengal is a ploy to shed her anti-industry and anti-development image that she acquired by opposing various high-profile projects the state.
With the huge resources of the railways at her disposal, Mamata can afford to play provider to the state.
To touch a chord with the common man, Banerjee is expected to keep off hikes in train fares for passenger.
The nine hospitals are expected to come up at Howrah, Garden Reach, Kharagpur, Kanchrapara, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Burdwan, Asansol, and Malda.
Among the 14 projects that has been cleared for Bengal Rs 10000crore is aimed for extension of Kolkata Metro

Extentions:
- Dumdum to Barrackpore
- Dumdum to Barasat
- Dumdum to Dakhineswar
- Majerhat to Maidan & Gariahat

[studdmanster]

cc: ET

Of the 24 major projects expected to be announced as part of the Rail Budget 2010-11, 10 will be housed in West Bengal. As the department’s financial position continues to be precarious, they will be kicked off under the PPP (private-public-partnership) model.

The railway ministry has already signed an MoU with the health ministry to open hospitals in various parts of the country. As many as 10 such institutions are planned to be opened in next financial year, all of them on railway land, of course. West Bengal will corner a majority of them (7, in fact).

Kendriya Vidyalayas too to come up on railway land.

Some 8-10 new Durontos will be flagged off . Ms Banerjee’s state will once again walk away with at least half of them.

Also on cards: a Peace Express from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and new series of trains to link all major pilgrim centres.

There will be major thrust on expanding the metro connectivity in the Kolkata-Greater Kolkata region. Four new lines are being planned, including Dum Dum-Barasat, Mazarhat-Maidan, Dum Dum-Dakshineshwar and Barrackpore.

The Kolkata circular rail too will be expanded to newer areas such as Garden Reach and Khidderpore.

Among the model stations scheduled to be unveiled during 2010-11, as many as 10 will be in West Bengal.

A Medical Express from Bengal to Vellore could be flagged off.

Kharagpur to be developed as a world-class station.

Jangal Mahal, a poverty-stricken, Naxal-ravaged area falling in the West Midnapore district, will be developed as a major railway hub. Besides being selected as the location for one of the planned railway hospitals, it is likely to be developed as a gateway to the northern parts of the state.

The railway minister, it is learnt, will be announcing several new projects for north West Bengal, a region where the Congress is quite powerful. The underlying theme is to position Trinamool Congress as a major challenger.

Thus, Siliguri will be connected with metropolises such as New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. A large workshop will come up on railway land at New Jalpaiguri. In fact, Siliguri will be developed to serve as the entry-point for the entire north-eastern region, and a new railway link to Arunachal Pradesh is being planned.

A new Sealdah-Haldibari daily passenger train will be flagged off during the year.

Construction on two new lines to be kicked off, including the Kalyani-Bangaon and Katwa-Tehatta links.

Kachrapada to be transformed into a major auto hub, with the construction of an over Rs 500-crore factory for EMU coaches through the JV route.

Chittaranjan Loco Works engine component manufacturing unit through the PPP route.

Besides, the Railway Budget is also likely to announce the arrival of several passenger-friendly schemes such as the plan to allow ticket bookings through the internet and mobile. A magazine for passengers, on the lines of the journals brought out by all airlines, is also being considered.

With funds emerging as a major constraint, the ministry has already set up the Amit Mitra Committee to suggest ways for additional resource mobilisation. The cash-surplus situation is not very encouraging as the funds from PPP route have not been as expected. Efforts to woo private, including foreign investment, will be expedited.

Armed with a copy of the Budget, the railway minister is said to have met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Tuesday evening to seek his blessings. The latter, it is learnt, extended his full backing to her endeavour.

[studdmanster]

cc: Tara News

2010 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Kabiguru
Rabindranath Tagore. In commemoration, I propose to set up a Rabindra
Museum at Howrah and Gitanjali Museum at Bolpur

Also to set up Shambhu Mitra Cultural Complex with
performing arts and a music academy at Howrah.