Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated two National Highway projects worth around 3,200 crore rupees at Ranaghat in Nadia district of West Bengal. The Prime Minister inaugurated the 66.7 km-long four-laning of the Barajaguli-Krishnanagar section of National Highway-34 in the Nadia district. He also laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of the 17.6 km-long Barasat-Barajaguli section of National Highway-34 in North 24 Parganas district of the state.

The projects will serve as a vital connecting link between Kolkata and Siliguri. They will help to reduce travel time by approximately two hours, ensuring faster and smoother movement of vehicles. The projects will also boost the economic growth in the region and will provide impetus to the growth of tourism across the region. Addressing a Parivartan Sankalpa Sabha at Taherpur in Nadia district over the phone from Kolkata today, the Prime Minister alleged that corruption, nepotism and appeasement of the ruling dispensation have prevented development in the state.

Mr. Modi said that the BJP had no objection to political opposition but accused the Trinamool Congress-led state government of obstructing development. He alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led party is opposing the ongoing SIR exercise to save infiltrators from getting identified. Earlier, dense fog at the venue prevented the Prime Minister’s helicopter from landing at the makeshift helipad there and forced him to return to the Kolkata airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the national song Vande Mataram and said for nation building for a Vikshit Bharat in the 21st century this song is the rashtra mantra. At the Parivartan Sankalp Sabha, he said Trinamool Congress can protest against BJP but it should not hinder the process of development in West Bengal.

Prime Minister said Bengal and Bengali language enriched the culture of India and the centre is committed to the development of West Bengal. He also mentioned the name of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who belonged to Nadia and one of the pioneers of Bhakti movement in the medieval time in India. Prime Minister paid his respect to Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur, 19th century social reformers from Bengal and founders of the Matua movement.