Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 7 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Thursday said her party will retain the railway ministry.

“My party, being an ally of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre, will hold the railway ministry. I have spoken to Prime Minister Monmahan Singh in this regard. Our party will hold one cabinet ministry and six minister-of-state portfolios,” said Banerjee, while inaugurating a slew of railway projects here.

“After tabling the railway budget in parliament this year, I had to come here for the state assembly elections. But the railway ministry is working sincerely to implement all the projects proposed. There are more trains to be flagged off and more projects to be implemented in the state,” said Banerjee.

Banerjee also launched the official portal of the Indian Railways apart from inaugurating automatic fare collection gates and passenger control system gates at all Kolkata Metro Railway stations and archives of legendary Bengali film actor Uttam Kumar at Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro station.

“Railways always endeavour to serve the people of the country and I am also committed to the cause of people till my last breadth. I am a part of the railway family and will always remain so. I am proud to say that I am aware of all the technicalities of the railways,” said Banerjee.

“With the launch of the portal, the passengers who used to purchase ticket online can purchase them at lower cost. Railways is also planning to introduce smart tokens for travelling across the country. The plan was mooted by us some time back,” said Banerjee, the former railway minister.