Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth around 18,680 crore in Kolkata. On the occasion, the Prime Minister said that all these projects will give a new boost to the development of not only the state of West Bengal but to the entire eastern region.
In a major boost to road infrastructure, he laid the foundation stone for several National Highway projects with a combined length of more than 420 km, worth around 16,990 crore rupees. The projects being inaugurated include sections of NH-19 in West Bengal and Jharkhand and NH-114 in West Bengal. These projects are expected to enhance road safety, reduce travel time, ease congestion and pollution, improve regional connectivity, and promote tourism and boost economic growth in the region. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for several new National Highway projects. These include five packages of the 231 km long four-lane Kharagpur-Moregram economic corridor section of NH-116A. The project forms part of the economic corridor between Kharagpur and Siliguri and will pass through Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal. Direct Kharagpur-Moregram connectivity will reduce travel distance by around 120 km and save nearly seven to eight hours of travel time. The corridor will also integrate with key National Highways, including NH-16, NH-19, NH-14 and NH-12, thereby strengthening multi-corridor connectivity. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of a 5.6 km long four-lane Dubrajpur Bypass on NH-14, which will help decongest the densely built-up areas of Dubrajpur town and reduce travel time by nearly one hour. He will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of four additional four-lane major bridges over the Kangshabati and Shilabati rivers on NH-14.
During the visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several shipping and port-related projects. He inaugurated the mechanisation project of Berth No. 2 at Haldia Dock Complex, which will enable efficient, faster and environment-friendly cargo handling. The project will enhance cargo handling capacity, facilitate efficient full-rake rail loading systems, improve key performance indicators, increase safety by reducing human exposure to hazardous operations, and generate employment. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the rejuvenation project at Khidderpore Docks (Dock 1 – West).
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for multiple port infrastructure projects in the state. These include the mechanization of Berth No. 5 at the Haldia Dock Complex of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. Other projects include renovation of the Bascule Bridge at Kolkata Dock System; yard development including drainage systems at Kidderpore Dock-I (East) and Dock-II (East); bank protection works along the Kolkata riverfront from the Howrah Bridge pylon to Nimtala Ghat; and construction of a terminal building for a river cruise terminal and river tourism facility near the Indenture Memorial complex at Kolkata Dock System.
In the railways sector, the Prime Minister will flag off the Purulia-Anand Vihar Terminal (Delhi) Express, strengthening rail connectivity between West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and the national capital region.
The Prime Minister inaugurated six redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Station Scheme. These stations include Kamakhyaguri, Anara, Tamluk, Haldia, Barabhum and Siuri.
Prime Minister dedicated two railway projects to the nation: the 16 km long third rail line between Belda and Dantan and the Automatic Block Signalling system between Kalaikunda and Kanimohuli. These projects will improve train safety and punctuality, reduce congestion and enhance the overall ease of travel for passengers in the region.
These initiatives reflect the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and accelerating economic growth in West Bengal and eastern India.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Modi said that these projects will give a new momentum to West Bengal and Eastern India. The Prime Minister added that they will boost trade and industry, making life easier for millions of people and opening up new opportunities for them. He highlighted that the completion of the Kharagpur-Moregram Expressway will accelerate economic activity across various parts of West Bengal. The Prime Minister underlined that the Central Government is making concerted efforts to rapidly expand West Bengal’s railway infrastructure as well. He emphasized that today a rapid campaign is underway in the country to modernize the railways and highlighted the government’s resolve that West Bengal does not lag behind in this campaign.
Mr Modi said that ports like Kolkata and Haldia have long been major centers of trade in eastern India. He added that the Haldia Dock Complex is currently undergoing mechanisation and this initiative will accelerate cargo operations, enhance the port’s capacity, and create new facilities to facilitate trade.
