PM Modi to visit West Bengal today and on January 18; to launch infra projects worth over ₹4,000 crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal today and on January 18, during which he will inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stone for multiple rail, road, and infrastructure projects worth over ₹4,000 crore. These initiatives aim to improve connectivity and accelerate development in the State and the North-Eastern region.

Today, the Prime Minister will visit Malda, where he will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from Malda Town Railway Station. The fully air-conditioned sleeper train has been designed to provide a modern, comfortable, and affordable long-distance travel experience and is expected to reduce travel time on the Howrah–Guwahati route by around two and a half hours.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for rail and road projects worth more than ₹3,250 crore in Malda. These include four major railway projects, such as the Balurghat–Hili new rail line, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri loco shed, and modernisation of Vande Bharat maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district.

He will also dedicate the electrification of the New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat rail sections, enabling cleaner and more energy-efficient train operations.

The Prime Minister will virtually flag off four new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar with cities such as Nagercoil, Tiruchirappalli, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Two additional long-distance trains with LHB coaches will also be flagged off, enhancing connectivity between North Bengal and major employment hubs.

In addition, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the four-laning and rehabilitation of the Dhupguri–Falakata section of National Highway-31D, a key road corridor in North Bengal.

On January 18, the Prime Minister will visit Singur in Hooghly district, where he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone, and flag off development projects worth over ₹830 crore.

A major highlight of the visit will be the foundation stone laying of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, which includes an inland water transport terminal and a road overbridge. The project aims to enhance cargo movement efficiency, reduce congestion in Kolkata, and improve multimodal logistics connectivity for regional industries, MSMEs, and agricultural producers.

The Prime Minister will also launch a state-of-the-art electric catamaran for inland water transport in Kolkata. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the hybrid electric vessel is designed for zero-emission operation and will support urban river mobility, eco-tourism, and last-mile connectivity along the Hooghly River.

Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Jayrambati–Barogopinathpur–Maynapur rail line and flag off a new passenger service on the route, improving rail connectivity for Bankura district. Three more Amrit Bharat Express trains linking Kolkata with Anand Vihar Terminal, Banaras, and Tambaram will also be flagged off.