Many rail projects for Maoist-hit areas of West Bengal

Kolkata, Feb 24 : Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's budget Wednesday had many projects for Maoist-affected districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura in West Bengal.

During her budget speech in the Lok Sabha, Banerjee announced that two secondary-level general specialty hospitals would be set up in Bankura and Purulia districts.

This apart, one out-patients department (OPD) and a diagnostic centre will be set up at Midnapore and Lalgarh region of West Midnapore district.

Considering increasing demand of the passengers, she announced one long-distance tri-weekly train Kharagpur-Purulia intercity express.

Tatanagar-Hatia passenger train via Chandil-Purulia-Muri, was also proposed in the budget.

Banerjee said two passenger trains would be introduced this year to connect Howrah with Midnapur and Dhanbad with Jhargram via Purulia.

According to this year's budget, Matnasibpur-Masagram of Bankura Damodar River Valley line will be a part of the proposed sections that will cover 1,021-km additional railway track across India.

The railway minister also proposed to develop 93 multi-functional complexes of which one would come up in West Bengal's Bankura district.