Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday announced plans to induct 60 new-generation trains into the Kolkata Metro network over the next four to five years as part of a broader effort to modernise the system and improve urban mobility.
Speaking after travelling on the Metro, Vaishnaw said the new rolling stock would transform the city's rapid transit network.
“We are planning about 60 new generation trains for Kolkata Metro in the coming 4-5 years. These trains will be inducted, and Kolkata Metro Rail will get a totally new generation of trains,” the Railway Minister said.
He said the Centre has been undertaking several projects aimed at improving mobility across Kolkata and that the benefits would become more visible as the projects progress.
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“To improve mobility in Kolkata city, a lot of efforts have been made. As the projects advance, mobility in Kolkata city will advance too,” he said.
During the Metro journey, Vaishnaw reiterated that “60 new trains of the new generation will be inducted into Kolkata Metro in the next five years”.
Later in the day, he visited Nabanna, the state secretariat, where he met senior state government officials.
The announcement comes amid a wider push to strengthen transport infrastructure in West Bengal. Earlier this week, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari announced plans for a Water Metro system in Kolkata under the Centre’s Sagarmala 2 programme. He said the state is preparing project proposals worth Rs 22,700 crore over the next five years for coastal development, fishing infrastructure, island development and other maritime initiatives.
The proposed Metro expansion is expected to enhance passenger capacity and improve commuting experience across the city’s growing urban transport network.
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