New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS): In a move that will not only ease Kolkata's traffic but also have political significance ahead of the Assembly polls next year, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the East-West Metro Corridor Project. It will be done at a cost of Rs 8,575 crore.

While announcing the decision, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said it will boost the mass transit system in Bengal. He informed that the total route length of this Metro corridor project which was stuck for long is 16.6 km consisting of 12 stations. The project will not just ease traffic congestion but enhance urban connectivity, said the Centre on Wednesday. It will be completed by December, 2021.

Goyal made reference to 'Durga Puja' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "gift to Kolkata" while announcing the decision. Goyal talked about his promise to inaugurate Phoolbagan metro station before Durga Puja, which has now been done. He added that they got this project without "final alignment" and without "local support".

West Bengal will go to the polls early next year where the BJP hopes to dislodge the current Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government.

Meanwhile, in other announcements, Union minister Prakash Javadekar informed that India signed a memorandum of cooperation with Japan on cyber security and a MoU is being signed between Canada and India's Zoological Survey of India.