Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday blamed the previous TMC government for the loss of Kolkata's direct air connectivity with Europe and also mounting debt on the state's economy, while asserting that his administration would rejuvenate transport infrastructure in coordination with the Centre.Addressing a programme after flagging off 50 air-conditioned buses from Paribahan Bhawan-II here, Adhikari also announced plans to introduce a Water Metro in Kolkata, expand Metro Rail connectivity beyond the city, set up charging points for electric buses and develop a greenfield airport in Kalyani.Read more: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari outlines ambitious transport plans ranging from new metros & electric buses to greenfield airportState Transport Minister Arjun Singh and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal were also present in the programme.Adhikari alleged that the previous government failed to strengthen the aviation sector and several international routes from the state became non-operational."We had air connectivity with most of the European countries. Under the previous government, flights on most of these routes were stopped. At present, we don't have connectivity with any European city, including London," he said.He alleged the previous TMC government also did not pursue a proposal for a second airport near Kolkata."The then Union transport minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had written to the previous CM asking for land to build another airport near Kolkata. An immediate reply was sent stating that the government would not be able to acquire land in Bhangar area. It was a weak government," he said.Adhikari also accused the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments of leaving the state with a debt burden of around Rs 8 lakh crore.Read more: West Bengal to make Bengali mandatory for all government work from Sept 1"The transport department can play a crucial role, by bringing in good revenue, in rescuing the state from the economic shambles it is left in due to Left Front and TMC governments... The state is in a huge debt of Rs 8 lakh crore," he said.Describing transport as an engine of economic growth, the chief minister said, "A state's economy can gain momentum when its transport infrastructure is up to date. More and more industrialists will invest in the state if the infrastructure improves, thus boosting employment opportunities."He said the state has strengthened coordination with the Centre and decided to promote cleaner public transport."We have decided to introduce more eco-friendly CNG and electric vehicles in Kolkata and other parts of the state... More electric buses will be inducted with central assistance under a 60:40 funding pattern," the CM said.Charging stations and supporting infrastructure would be developed in the depots of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation, West Bengal Transport Corporation and South Bengal State Transport Corporation, he said.On Metro Rail expansion, Adhikari said that a long-pending issue at Chingrighata Crossing was resolved soon after the change in government in the state."The previous government could not resolve the Chingrighata impasse in 17 months, but our double-engine government provided a solution within 17 days... The expansion plan of the Kolkata Metro from Joka to Dumdum airport has gained momentum," he said.The state government has proposed extending Metro connectivity beyond Kolkata, with the first projects envisaged between Durgapur and Asansol, and Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, he said, adding that the government would explore funding options with agencies such as the World Bank, ADB and HUDCO.Adhikari said the government had also taken an in-principle decision to introduce a Water Metro, making Kolkata the 17th city in the country to have such a service.To ease congestion on Kona Expressway, the state proposed a ferry service between Shibpur-Sankrail area in Howrah and Garden Reach in Kolkata for the movement of cargo from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, he said.The Chief Minister said the state joined the Centre's UDAN regional connectivity scheme and secured support for expanding airports at Balurghat, Malda and Purulia, while identifying around 2,000 acres in Kalyani for a greenfield airport.