19 August 2026: Eastern Railway is planning major capacity enhancement and is poised to invest approximately ₹12,000 crore in the region over the next four to five years, said Ms Gitika Pandey, General Manager, Eastern Railway, at the second edition of the Rail Synergy & Bengal MSME Vendor Connect Summit 2026 held in Kolkata today.
Addressing the gathering, Smt Pandey said that creating additional capacity, improving the multi-tracking system, modernising railway yards and developing terminals were among the key priorities. She said that a robust railway network has an important role in connecting markets, people and aspirations, while helping reduce logistics costs, streamline supply chains and enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. She also urged MSMEs to focus on the development of innovative products and cost-effective solutions to strengthen their contribution to the economy.
The Summit brought together stakeholders from the railway, infrastructure and MSME sectors and provided a platform for discussions on infrastructure expansion, manufacturing, financing and vendor participation.
Shri Palash Srivastava, Deputy Managing Director, India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd., highlighted the need for stronger value-chain financing and a renewed push towards a manufacturing boom. Referring to the “missing middle” in the existing ecosystem, he stressed the importance of cluster-based financing and the development of community infrastructure for building a more robust and inclusive industrial ecosystem.
Shri P. K. Das, Director, MSME DFO, Kolkata, apprised the gathering of the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament this month, which seeks to address the long-standing issue of delayed payments to MSMEs. He also highlighted key bottlenecks confronting the MSME ecosystem in the State, particularly in access to finance, technology, skill development and export markets.
Highlighting India's position as the fourth-largest railway network in the world and the second-largest rail freight carrier, Shri Sudipta Mukherjee, Managing Director, Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd., emphasised the need for long-term planning and a strategic vision to further strengthen and expand the country's railway infrastructure.
Shri Prem Sagar Gupta, General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata, said that around 6.5 lakh passengers travel on the Kolkata Metro every day. He stated that the city currently has 57 operational Metro stations, with another 31 stations expected to become operational soon, further expanding Kolkata's Metro network and connectivity.
Shri Vivek Lohia, Chairman, CII West Bengal Railway Task Force and Managing Director, Jupiter Wagons Ltd., highlighted the availability of a skilled workforce, proximity to mines and mineral resources, and the presence of freight corridors as key factors contributing to West Bengal's potential for further industrial growth.
The Rail Synergy & Bengal MSME Vendor Connect Summit 2026 witnessed participation from major stakeholders across the region. The programme facilitated business interactions by connecting vendors with industry and government representatives through B2B and B2G meetings, providing a forum for engagement on opportunities linked to railway infrastructure, manufacturing and the wider MSME ecosystem.
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