Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 3, 2025, Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised her voice against the state’s Transport Minister during a heated exchange at a packed meeting in the Nabanna meeting hall on Thursday. Banerjee criticized the Minister and the department for not addressing the public’s transportation difficulties, particularly in Kolkata, where residents are struggling due to insufficient bus services.
Mamata’s scolding came after she expressed frustration over the lack of direct field involvement from both the Transport Minister and the Secretary. “Does the Minister or Secretary ever go out on the roads to see what the common people are facing?” Mamata asked, accusing the department of being out of touch with the issues on the ground. She also remarked that the Transport Department had become “a silent department” due to its inaction.
In a pointed question, the Chief Minister asked, “Have the Minister and Secretary ever visited? Have you visited Kolkata, where there are no buses? People are standing waiting for buses!” Mamata demanded answers about where additional buses could be deployed to ease the situation, as public transport is a critical issue for daily commuters.
The Transport Minister, attempting to defend the department, quickly responded by stating that the frequency of buses had been increased. However, this statement only seemed to escalate the Chief Minister’s anger. “Some things do not mean anything,” Mamata shot back. “You are a minister, you should understand that some things don’t hold weight in reality.”
The Chief Minister specifically pointed out that the lack of buses was a major issue around important areas like hospitals and IT sectors, where commuters face severe inconveniences. “There is a shortage of buses in these places,” Mamata said, emphasizing the need for immediate improvements in the transportation system. She suggested that the Transport Minister should make surprise visits to these areas to better understand the challenges faced by the public.
Mamata’s sharp words underscored her dissatisfaction with the Transport Department’s handling of public transportation issues and reflected her intent to push for more proactive measures to alleviate the everyday struggles of Kolkata’s commuters.