Mamata's 'International' Claim Vs BJP Pushback: Why Howrah Station Has Become Flashpoint In Bengal

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 13:16 IST

BJP, which has been attacking state government over what it calls a lack of development and promising large-scale change if voted to power, has claimed credit for the redevelopment

Think Bengal, and Howrah is one name that immediately comes to mind. The iconic Howrah Station has long been a symbol of the state and a recurring presence in cinema, storytelling, and public narratives. Now, it is back in the political spotlight once again.

At a recent rally, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that she had transformed Howrah into an “international station". This is the same station where, during a 2022 renovation inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee had skipped the event, reportedly on the grounds that “Jai Shri Ram" slogans were being raised and that ‘Vande Mataram’ was being turned into a political issue.

The BJP, which has been attacking the state government over what it calls a lack of development and promising large-scale change if voted to power, has now pushed back strongly on Banerjee’s recent claim. Party sources said: “As always, she is being very economical with the truth. Faced with imminent defeat and an exit from power in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is now desperately clutching at straws. It is laughable that she has claimed it was she who made Howrah what she calls an international station. The claim is not only absurd but flies in the face of facts."

The Centre has also rebutted the claim with a set of details on infrastructure upgrades at Howrah Station. According to the data, Eastern Railway has undertaken major capacity augmentation works aimed at improving train handling, easing traffic flow, and enhancing passenger convenience at one of the country’s busiest railway terminals.

Key upgrades include:

• Platform No. 15 being reconstructed and extended from 312 metres to 591 metres

• Two additional platforms being developed to increase terminal capacity

• Two passenger executive lounges, with food and accommodation facilities, opened in both the old and new station complexes, which officials say are seeing steady use

According to the government, these developments are part of a “state-of-the-art, world-class" upgrade that will not only benefit passengers but also boost economic and industrial activity in and around Howrah.

While the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has repeatedly accused the Centre of step-motherly treatment towards West Bengal, the BJP and the prime minister have framed the state as an example of missed opportunities, pitching instead for a “double-engine sarkar" to drive development and restore Bengal’s former glory.

Amid this political back-and-forth, Howrah—a landmark and enduring symbol of Bengal—has once again become the centre of a fresh tug-of-war between the two sides.

News elections Mamata's 'International' Claim Vs BJP Pushback: Why Howrah Station Has Become Flashpoint In Bengal

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