Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and flagged off various development projects worth more than 830 crore rupees in West Bengal and flagged off three Amrit Bharat trains connecting Kolkata with other parts of the country. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that all central projects will accelerate the development of West Bengal. He highlighted that for a developed India, the development of Eastern India is essential, and with this goal, the Union Government is continuously working.
He said his two-day programme in Assam and West Bengal strengthened this resolve. The Prime Minister underlined that the past 24 hours have been unprecedented for West Bengal’s rail connectivity. Mr Modi observed that Bengal has immense potential for waterways, and the Union Government is working on this as well. He remarked that these are the pillars on which West Bengal can be developed into a major hub of manufacturing, trade, and logistics.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including an Inland Water Transport IWT terminal and a Road Over Bridge. He also launched a state-of-the-art Electric Catamaran in Kolkata. The vessel will support urban river mobility, eco-tourism and last-mile passenger connectivity along the Hooghly River. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur new rail line and a new train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati.
Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose, Union Minister Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Shantunu Thakur, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari and others were present on the occasion.
Later, addressing a Parivartan Sankalp Sabha in Singur, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi mounted a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress. He said the central government is consistently working to support the youth, farmers, and women of West Bengal. He stated that several welfare schemes launched by the Centre are aimed at improving livelihoods and creating opportunities across the state. However, the Prime Minister alleged that the state government has been blocking the implementation of these central schemes, preventing benefits from reaching the people. The Prime Minister emphasised that development initiatives should rise above political rivalries and focus on the needs of citizens.
The Prime Minister said real change is the need of the hour and urged people to bring the BJP to power in the state, adding every vote for the BJP would strengthen efforts to remove illegal intruders from the country.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Centre’s efforts to honour Bengal’s cultural icons. He said Parliament and the people of India had commemorated the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, calling it a guiding mantra for building a “Viksit Bharat”. Prime Minister Modi mentioned steps like Bengali being accorded classical language status, Durga Puja receiving UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition, and Shantiniketan being granted World Heritage status.
Referring to economic potential, the Prime Minister said Bengal’s traditional products, such as Dhaniakhali sarees, jute and handicrafts, are being promoted under the One District One Product scheme.
Alleging that several central welfare schemes are being stalled by the TMC government, the Prime Minister said schemes such as PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Har Ghar Jal, and PM SHRI schools were not being implemented in West Bengal. He also alleged that a digital platform for fishermen launched by the Centre had not been operationalised in the state.
