West Bengal CM Announces Water Metro, Metro Expansion and Kalyani Greenfield Airport

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a series of transport and infrastructure initiatives, including a Water Metro in Kolkata, expanded Metro Rail connectivity, electric bus infrastructure and a greenfield airport in Kalyani. He also blamed previous Left Front and TMC governments for the state's economic debt and the decline in international air connectivity.

Addressing a programme after flagging off 50 air-conditioned buses from Paribahan Bhawan-II, Adhikari said transport infrastructure would be modernised through closer coordination with the Centre. He claimed Kolkata had earlier been connected to several European destinations but had since lost direct services to cities including London.

The chief minister also alleged that the previous TMC government failed to pursue a proposal for a second airport near Kolkata, citing difficulties in acquiring land in the Bhangar area.

Adhikari said the state was carrying a debt burden of around ₹8 lakh crore, and argued that a stronger transport sector could help improve revenue and revive economic growth. Better infrastructure, he said, would encourage industrial investment and create more employment opportunities.

The government plans to introduce more CNG and electric vehicles across the state, with additional electric buses expected to be procured with central assistance under a 60:40 funding model. Charging stations and related facilities will be developed at depots of the North Bengal, West Bengal and South Bengal state transport corporations.

Adhikari said an in-principle decision had been taken to introduce a Water Metro in Kolkata, potentially making it the 17th Indian city to have such a service. A ferry route between the Shibpur-Sankrail area and Garden Reach has also been proposed to ease congestion on the Kona Expressway and facilitate cargo movement.

The government is also seeking to expand Metro connectivity beyond Kolkata, with proposed corridors linking Durgapur-Asansol and Siliguri-Jalpaiguri. Airport expansion at Balurghat, Malda and Purulia is planned under UDAN, while around 2,000 acres have been identified in Kalyani for a proposed greenfield airport.