Last Updated:August 21, 2025, 11:03 IST
Sources indicate that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to attend the inauguration ceremony, despite invitations being sent.

Party insiders told News18 that Mamata Banerjee is unwilling to share the stage with the Prime Minister. (Image: PTI)
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Metro in Karnataka in the first week of August, one frame stood out: PM Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar smiling, chatting, and taking the first ride together. Despite political debates over funding contributions for the project, the inauguration presented a picture of unity.
On August 22, however, a different scene may unfold in West Bengal. Prime Minister Modi is set to inaugurate several metro railway projects in Kolkata on Friday, including the opening of a newly constructed 13.61 km network, with services to be launched on multiple routes.
Unlike Karnataka, the camaraderie may be missing in Bengal. Sources indicate that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to attend the inauguration ceremony, despite invitations being sent. While the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has not made an official statement, party insiders told News18 that Mamata Banerjee is unwilling to share the stage with the Prime Minister. According to them, this stems from the TMC’s long-standing allegations that the Centre is denying Bengal its due funds, undermining the state’s pride (asmita), and harassing Bengali migrants.
BJP’s Bengal unit has strongly criticised the Chief Minister’s stance. State party president Samik Bhattacharya said, “A small portion of the metro project is incomplete because of the State’s non-cooperation. This is what they do. They lack basic courtesy. Because of their non-cooperation, Bengal continues to suffer."
Inauguration on August 22
At Jessore Road Metro Station, the Prime Minister will:
Flag off the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service and undertake a round trip on the route.PM Modi will also inaugurate, via video conferencing:
Sealdah–Esplanade metro service (cutting travel time from 40 minutes to just 11 minutes).Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro service (improving access to Kolkata’s IT hub).Dedicate a newly constructed subway at Howrah Metro Station.Together, these metro sections will strengthen connectivity across some of the city’s busiest corridors, substantially reduce commuting time, and benefit lakhs of passengers daily.
In addition, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the 7.2 km six-lane elevated Kona Expressway, to be built at a cost of over Rs 1,200 crore. The project will ease travel between Howrah, its rural hinterland, and Kolkata, while boosting trade, commerce, and tourism in the region.
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...Read More
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East...
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August 21, 2025, 11:03 IST
News politics Unity In Karnataka, Distance In Bengal: Mamata Likely To Skip PM Modi’s Kolkata Metro Inauguration
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