The budget did have something for the state with reference to the new metro projects. While the survey for the construction of a new line for the extension of Kolkata metro from Dum Dum to Dakshineswar has been completed, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad confirmed that since the state government has already given the consent to contribute 50 per cent of the project cost, further action is being taken for obtaining the necessary approval. The expected cost of the proposed extension is Rs 522 crore.

The other project is the construction of a new line from Jhargram to Purulia — the survey has already received the approval from the ministry — and is expected to get the clearance.

Feasibility surveys for bullet trains between Howrah and Haldia have also received the green signal. The freight corridor from Ludhiana to Kolkata will be inaugurated this month.

A double line between Katwa and Farakka, new trains like Gandhidham-Kolkata Superfast, Howrah-Haridwar Superfast and Howrah-Delhi Link service via Azimganj-Bhagalpur and extension of four trains in the state have been proposed in the budget.

“The budget proposed today is an interim one. Though certain aspects have been covered there are several others, to which the Centre has still not given enough importance,” said Basudeb Acharya, chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways. “Issues like acquisition of more coaches, passenger amenities, platform infrastructure and efficiency of trains in the state are still not considered.”

From a budgetary support of 75 per cent, now the percentage has come down to 28 per cent. “We have been asking the Centre to raise it to 50 per cent, but nothing has been done,” he added.

The Opposition, too, took a dig at the budget, with Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee stating that the state has been deprived. “The budget is an attempt to secure votes before the LS elections. The proposed projects are repetitions of old ones,” she said.