PM launches, inaugurates and lays foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹830 crore in Singur, West Bengal

For the goal of building a developed India, the progress of Eastern India remains a key focus, and with this objective the Central Government is working relentlessly: PM

Yesterday, the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal; the state has also received close to half a dozen new Amrit Bharat Express trains, and today three additional Amrit Bharat Express services have been started: PM

The Extended Port Gate System being developed at Balagarh will create fresh opportunities for Hooghly and nearby regions: PM

India is placing strong emphasis on multi-modal connectivity and green mobility; to ensure smooth movement, ports, inland waterways, highways and airports are being seamlessly linked: PM

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and flagged off multiple development projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district of West Bengal. Addressing the gathering, Shri Modi said that he was in Malda yesterday and today had the opportunity to be among the people of Hooghly. He stressed that the development of Eastern India is essential for achieving the vision of a developed India, and the Union Government is continuously working in this direction. He added that the programmes held over the last two days reinforce this commitment. The Prime Minister noted that during this period, projects worth hundreds of crores linked to West Bengal’s development have been inaugurated and initiated.

Shri Modi highlighted that the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal yesterday. He added that the state has already received nearly half a dozen Amrit Bharat Express trains, and today three more such trains have been introduced. He said that one of these services will further strengthen connectivity between his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, and Bengal. He also noted that Amrit Bharat Express trains have been launched for Delhi and Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister said the last 24 hours have marked an unprecedented phase for rail connectivity in West Bengal.

Prime Minister Modi observed that West Bengal has vast potential in inland waterways, and the Union Government is actively working to harness it. He said support is being extended to create the infrastructure required for port-led development. He added that a short while ago, projects related to ports and river waterways were inaugurated and foundation stones laid. He described these initiatives as crucial for the growth of West Bengal and the country, adding that they can help transform the state into a major hub for manufacturing, trade and logistics. The Prime Minister congratulated everyone associated with these projects.

Shri Modi said that greater focus on ports and the surrounding ecosystem leads to higher employment generation. He noted that over the past 11 years, the Union Government has made significant investments to expand the capacity of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port. He added that roads have also been built under the Sagarmala scheme to improve port connectivity. He said the impact of these efforts is now visible, with Kolkata Port achieving new cargo-handling records last year.

Prime Minister Modi stated that the extended port gate system coming up at Balagarh will unlock new possibilities for Hooghly and nearby areas. He said it will reduce traffic and logistics pressure in Kolkata city, while cargo movement through the Ganga waterway will further increase. He added that this infrastructure will help develop Hooghly as a warehousing and trading hub, attract investments worth hundreds of crores, generate thousands of jobs, benefit small traders and transporters, and provide new markets for farmers and producers.

Shri Modi underlined that India is placing strong emphasis on multi-modal connectivity and green mobility. He said ports, inland waterways, highways and airports are being interconnected to enable seamless transportation. He noted that this approach is reducing logistics costs and saving time. The Prime Minister added that efforts are also underway to promote environment-friendly transport. He said hybrid electric boats will strengthen river transport and green mobility, make travel on the Hooghly easier, reduce pollution and boost river-based tourism.

The Prime Minister observed that India is making rapid progress in fisheries and seafood production and exports. He expressed his vision for West Bengal to take a leading role in this sector. He said the Union Government is strongly supporting the state’s plans for inland waterways, with farmers and fishermen already benefiting. Shri Modi added that these initiatives will accelerate West Bengal’s development journey and extended his best wishes for the successful implementation of the projects.

Governor of West Bengal Shri C V Ananda Bose, Union Ministers Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Shri Shantanu Thakur and Shri Sukanta Majumdar, along with other dignitaries, were present at the event.

The Prime Minister inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and flagged off development projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur in Hooghly.

He laid the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, which includes an Inland Water Transport terminal and a Road Over Bridge.

Spread across around 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo-handling terminal with an estimated capacity of about 2.7 million tonnes per annum. The project includes two dedicated cargo-handling jetties, one for containerised cargo and another for dry bulk cargo.

The Balagarh project aims to improve cargo evacuation efficiency by diverting heavy cargo away from congested urban routes. This will enhance road safety, reduce congestion and pollution in Kolkata, and improve the overall quality of life. Better multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency will also provide cost-effective market access to regional industries, MSMEs and agricultural producers. The project is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment, benefiting local communities through jobs in logistics, terminal operations, transport services, maintenance and allied activities.

The Prime Minister also launched a state-of-the-art electric catamaran in Kolkata. This is one of six indigenously built electric catamarans for inland water transport by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The 50-passenger hybrid electric aluminium vessel, equipped with advanced electric propulsion systems and lithium-titanate battery technology, can operate in fully electric zero-emission mode as well as in hybrid mode for longer endurance. The catamaran 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, which is part of the Tarkeshwar–Bishnupur rail project. Along with the new line, a new train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati, with a halt at Barogopinathpur, was also flagged off. This will provide direct rail connectivity to Bankura district, making travel more affordable and convenient for daily commuters, students and pilgrims.

The Prime Minister flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains: Kolkata (Howrah)–Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express; Kolkata (Sealdah)–Banaras Amrit Bharat Express; and Kolkata (Santragachi)–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express.