New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the last 24 hours as unprecedented for West Bengal’s rail connectivity after flagging off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains and inaugurating a new passenger train service from Singur. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening regional links, improving mobility, and accelerating economic activity across eastern India.
During the event, the Prime Minister also laid foundation stones, inaugurated, and dedicated to the nation infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 830 crore spanning ports, shipping, inland waterways, and railways. These projects formed a key part of his two day visit to the state and reflected the central government’s broader focus on the development of eastern India.
Addressing the gathering, Modi said sustained efforts were being made to ensure balanced national growth, with special emphasis on regions such as Purvanchal and Bengal. He noted that development programmes launched over the past two days would further strengthen this commitment and create new opportunities for trade, employment, and investment.
Highlighting recent rail milestones, the Prime Minister said India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train was launched from West Bengal a day earlier, followed by the introduction of three Amrit Bharat Express services. He added that one of these trains would significantly enhance connectivity between Varanasi and Bengal, while the others would link the state with Bilaspur and Tamil Nadu, marking a major leap in long distance rail travel.
Modi underlined that West Bengal holds immense potential for investment and said the Centre is actively supporting the creation of modern infrastructure, including port led development. He stressed that the state’s progress is vital for India’s overall growth and reaffirmed the government’s focus on multimodal connectivity and environmentally sustainable transport solutions.
The Prime Minister also spoke about promoting green mobility, including the introduction of hybrid electric boats to strengthen river transport. He shared his vision of positioning West Bengal as a national leader in fisheries and seafood production, supported by expanded port capacity, improved road links, and record cargo handling at Kolkata port.
He further noted that an extended port gate system being developed at Balagarh would help ease congestion in Kolkata and boost cargo movement along the Ganga waterways. Modi concluded his address by indicating he would continue discussions on development issues at another public event nearby.
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