Mamata lays foundation stone of Kolkata Metro extension

KAMARHATI - Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday laid the foundation stone of a Rs.600 crore Kolkata Metro railway extension project from Dum Dum to Dakshineswar in the northern fringes of the city.

Dakshineswar is known for the famous Kali temple where Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a priest.

“The project will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, the work will be done between Dum Dum and Barahanagar. In the second phase, the line will be extended to Dakshineswar station,” Banerjee said during the foundation-laying function at Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas.

The minister said Rs.237 crore has been sanctioned for the first phase, which will have two stations at Noapara and Baranag.

“We’ve decided to name Noapara station after Swami Vivekananda and Barahanagar station after Ma Sarada, (the consort of Ramakrishna Paramhansa),” she said.

Banerjee said the money for the second phase will also be sanctioned soon so that work can begin from both ends.

Talking about development of the railways throughout the country, Banerjee said she will flag off a Yuva Express between New Delhi and Mumbai on Jan 12, on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birthday.

“Earlier, I’d declared Jan 12 as the Youth Day when I used to hold the youth affairs portfolio (at the centre),” she said.

Following a request from Ramakrishna Mission monks present on the dias, Banerjee announced that passenger amenities at Belur Math station will be improved. Belur Math is the global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission.

She also announced a daily special train between Howrah and Belur Math stations from Jan 12.