Piyush Goyal slams Mamata over delay in allowing Shramik trains, says '105 needed daily'

Locking horns with West Bengal government over special 'Shramik' trains, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, on Thursday, stated that state government has allowed only 7 special trains till date. He added that while Bengal needs to run 105 trains daily, state government is planning to run 105 trains in next 30 days. Comparing West Bengal to Uttar Pradesh, he said that 400 trains had been approved by Uttar Pradesh government within 15 days to facilitate travel of its migrants, while Bengal has approved pass of only 8 trains.

Centre anunces 9 steps to benefit migrants, farmers, vendors in second ecomic tranche

Goyal: 105 trains needed daily to Bengal

Amid criticism on t allowing migrants' return, WB CM Mamata anunces 105 special trains

Mamata Banerjee anunces 105 special trains

Earlier in day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee anunced that 105 special trains had been arranged. She stated that this would prove beneficial for West Bengal residents struck in or states who wished to come back. Commencing from May 16, special trains will depart for West Bengal from Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore Urban, Hyderabad, Haridwar, Chennai, Gautam Budh Nagar, Ahmedabad, Pali, Nagpur, Kozhikode, Thane, Surat, etc. 

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Centre-Bengal tussle on 'Shramik' trains

Goyal has claimed that  PM Modi had specifically asked him to facilitate trains to ferry migrant workers to ir native places. However, he mentioned that West Bengal government was t cooperating and was refusing to give approvals for trains to run - adding that only 7 trains have departed for West Bengal until 3 pm on May 13. Bengal has locked horns with Centre several times during Coronavirus pandemic for testing, lack of funds, discrepancy over COVID deaths, adequate PPEs, Central Health team etc.

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