CM Takes Indirect Dig at PM Over Inauguration of Projects in Bengal

PTI, Ilambazar, July 29, 2025 :  Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday, took an indirect dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently inaugurated a slew of projects in the state, claiming that the contribution of her government to these projects was not mentioned.

Mamata said that the city gas project, the foundation stone for which was laid by the Prime Minister on July 18 at Durgapur, will have assistance from the state government. "We gave Rs 54 crore for the road over bridges which were inaugurated, but this was never mentioned," the Chief Minister said, without naming the Prime Minister.

Modi inaugurated two road over bridges constructed under the Setu Bharatam Programme, worth over Rs 380 crore, at Topsi and Pandabeswar in Paschim Bardhaman district.

Mamata inaugurated several projects through virtual mode in different parts of the state, including a 10-megawatt solar power unit and a 24-bed hybrid CCU unit at Suri Superspeciality Hospital in Birbhum district. She also mentioned that nearly two crore people have been brought out of poverty in West Bengal during her government’s tenure.

The Chief Minister said that nearly Rs 35,000 crore will be invested in the Deocha Pachami coal mine project, touted to be the largest in Asia, stating that basalt extraction at the site in Birbhum district has already started. "Global tender has been floated already for the Deocha Pachami coal mine project," she said.

Mamata also inaugurated five bridges over the Tangon River in Malda, which will connect the district with South Dinajpur, replacing five old bridges.

The Chief Minister added that the 'Jal Swapno' project for the supply of tapped water to residences is being undertaken, but during the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, it was claimed by the Opposition that this was being done with central funds. "We give 90 per cent of the expenses, land is also being given," she said.

According to the Chief Minister, the Centre, which was supposed to provide 40 per cent of funds for the water supply project, has not given any money to the state for the past one year. Mamata claimed that funds for the housing project, which has been named "Banglar Bari" by her government, have been stopped for the last three to four years by the Centre.