kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided not to attend the highly anticipated inauguration of three Kolkata Metro routes scheduled for August 22, despite receiving an official invitation from the Indian Railways. The invitation, formally extended by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw via a letter dated August 14, requested her to attend the flag-off ceremony at Jessore Road Metro station, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the Green, Orange, and Yellow Lines.

The CM’s absence is rooted in several deeply political and highly symbolic reasons. Firstly, Mamata cited growing concerns over the alleged linguistic discrimination and harassment of Bengali-speaking communities in states governed by the BJP, which she perceives as tacitly supported by the Union government. Appearing on the same stage with central leaders under such circumstances, she felt, would compromise her position and the dignity she upholds.

Secondly, the metro corridors being inaugurated were originally conceptualized and funded during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure as Union Railway Minister. The Trinamool Congress sees the timing of the launch—just months ahead of the 2026 assembly elections—as a calculated effort by the BJP to appropriate credit for projects started under the CM’s leadership. The invitation via a standard letter, the party argues, does little to acknowledge her prior contributions.

Thirdly, past events have made her cautious. During earlier central government programs, she has been met with orchestrated disruption by BJP supporters, turning dignified venues into polarizing political arenas. Mamata expressed a clear desire to avoid repetition of such disrespectful events.

These newly inaugurated stretches—namely the Sealdah-Esplanade section of the Green Line (completing the East-West underwater metro), the Ruby Crossing–Beleghata Orange Line extension, and the Noapara–Jai Hind Yellow Line linking the airport—are poised to significantly transform urban connectivity in Kolkata. The event will also mark the inauguration of a subway at Howrah Metro station.

However, in response to the TMC’s stance, Bengal BJP leadership dismissed the claims. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya placed responsibility for delays in the completion of 43 railway projects—including these metro lines—on bureaucratic red tape and lack of cooperation from the state government. He argued that the CM’s presence would have been appropriate but is no longer necessary given her choice.

The central government has also affirmed its commitments: as part of a broader infrastructure push, it has allocated Rs 83,765 crore for railway projects in West Bengal and sanctioned redevelopment of 101 stations across the state, alongside new Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat train introductions..