Prime Minister Narendra Modi Unveils Rs. 830 Crore Development Projects in Singur, Focuses on Eastern India’s Growth.
Singur, Hooghly (West Bengal):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and flagged off multiple development projects worth over Rs. 830 crore in Singur, Hooghly district, marking a major push towards infrastructure development and connectivity in West Bengal. Addressing a large public gathering, the Prime Minister said that the development of Eastern India is a top priority for building a developed India, and the Central Government is continuously working in this direction.
The Prime Minister noted that he had visited Malda a day earlier and was now among the people of Hooghly, underlining that the back-to-back programmes reflect the government’s strong commitment to West Bengal’s development. He said that in recent days, projects worth hundreds of crores have been inaugurated and initiated in the state, strengthening its growth trajectory.
Highlighting achievements in the rail sector, the Prime Minister said that the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal a day earlier. He added that the state has already received nearly half a dozen Amrit Bharat Express trains, and on Saturday, three more Amrit Bharat Express trains were flagged off. He pointed out that one of the newly launched trains will further strengthen connectivity between Varanasi and West Bengal, while others will connect key destinations including Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Describing the moment as unprecedented, he said the past 24 hours marked a historic phase for rail connectivity in the state.
The Prime Minister emphasized West Bengal’s immense potential in waterways and port-led development. He said the Union Government is investing heavily in port and riverine infrastructure, which will play a crucial role in transforming the state into a hub of manufacturing, trade, and logistics. He noted that significant investments have been made over the past 11 years to expand the capacity of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port, and under the Sagarmala scheme, road connectivity to ports has been strengthened. As a result, Kolkata Port achieved record cargo handling last year.
He further stated that the Extended Port Gate System being developed at Balagarh will open new economic opportunities for Hooghly and nearby areas by easing congestion in Kolkata and boosting cargo movement through the Ganga waterway. This infrastructure, he said, will help develop Hooghly into a warehousing and trading hub, attract large investments, generate thousands of jobs, benefit small traders and transporters, and create new markets for farmers and producers.
Stressing the importance of sustainability, the Prime Minister said India is focusing strongly on multi-modal connectivity and green mobility, integrating ports, waterways, highways, railways, and airports for seamless transport. He added that hybrid electric boats will strengthen river transport, reduce pollution, and promote river-based tourism along the Hooghly.
He also highlighted rapid progress in fisheries and seafood exports, expressing hope that West Bengal would emerge as a national leader in this sector. Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said these projects would significantly accelerate West Bengal’s development journey.
Governor of West Bengal C V Ananda Bose, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Shantanu Thakur, Sukanta Majumdar, and other dignitaries were present at the event.
