Transport sector creates 7.5 lakh jobs in WB: Official

The transport sector has generated 7.5 lakh jobs in West Bengal in last five years and its potential as an income and employment creator needs to be explored by big time industries, state transport secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay said here today.
"Transport as a business opportunity is under-emphasised and has not been given much importance by the big names in the industry, who give more emphasis to vehicle manufacturing," Bandopadhyay said while inaugurating 'Transport Expo'.
"Transport generates huge employment as also good income prospects. In West Bengal in the last five years, transport sector has generated 7.5 lakh jobs," Bandopadhyay said.

West Bengal government's 'Gatidhara' project, in the line of JNNURM scheme of the central government for providing financial stimulus to commercial taxi operators, will see around 5,500 new vehicles by March 2107.
"We have provided financial stimulus for 2,000 commercial and luxury taxis under the 'Gatidhara' scheme so far since April 2016, there will be around 5,500 more such vehicles on the roads by March 2017," he said.
He further said, "This will also provide a stimulus to vehicle manufacturers who have been hit hard since demonetisation began and their November sales have nose-dived.