Smriti Irani inaugurates Kolkata’s Sealdah Metro Station

NEW DELHI — Amid controversy over the invitation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Sealdah metro station of the East-West Metro corridor, was inaugurated by Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday, which will help the daily commuters in the busy route.

“The Indian Railways enhanced new infrastructure options for West Bengal’s development through this metro services, which will help more than 33,000 commuters. Sealdah is Asia’s busiest railway station. Keeping eye on increasing population, the Indian government, in an attempt to strengthen the infrastructure, has introduced this new communication system which was much needed,” Union Minister for Women & Child Welfare Smriti Irani said, after inaugurating the much-awaited Metro railway station.

Commercial services at the swanky Sealdah metro station, connecting the IT hub of Sector V, will begin on July 14. It is a part of the East-West corridor, a part of which is built under the Hooghly River, which is the first of its kind in India.

Centre empowering women and children: Smriti Irani

Irani also touched upon how the PM Narendra Modi-ruled Central government has empowered women and children in the country, including in West Bengal. She also spoke about PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), through which Indian citizens have been receiving free rations. “In West Bengal, 72 lakh people are receiving free ration from the Central government’s scheme PMGKY for last 25 months,” Irani said.

It is pertinent to mention that the Mamata Banerjee government always claimed that free ration was distributed by the State government.

“Jal Jeevan Mission has enabled more than 1.77 crore people to receive clean tap water at their homes in both rural and urban areas of the State. Around 4.5 crore people have benefitted through the Jan Dhan programme,” the minister said.

Controversy erupts over ‘last moment’ invitation to Mamata Banerjee

Meanwhile, controversy erupted over inviting the Bengal Chief Minister at the last moment and the CM’s name was missing from the invitation card. “I have also been invited at the last moment,” Union Minister for Women & Child Welfare Smriti Irani said, asked about the invitation controversy.

However, Eastern Railways Public Relations Officer Eklabya Chakraborty claimed the State Chief Minister and Governor have been invited to the programme. “Only names of the local MLAs and MPs are mentioned in the invitation card,” he added.

“It is misconduct in the name of inauguration. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was a Railway Minister and the project was close to her heart,” Firhad Hakim, Kolkata Mayor & Trinamool Minister said.