“East’s Growth Is India’s Growth,” says PM Modi

• PM inaugurates and lays foundation stones for projects worth over ₹830 crore in Singur
• Three new Amrit Bharat Express trains flagged off from West Bengal
• Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh to boost Hooghly’s economy
• Strong push for multimodal connectivity and green mobility

GG News Bureau
Singur, 18th Jan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of, and flagged off multiple development projects worth more than ₹830 crore in Singur, Hooghly district, describing the progress of Eastern India as central to the nation’s overall development.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said that for a developed India, the development of Eastern India remains a priority, and the Union Government is continuously working toward this goal. He noted that after visiting Malda on Friday, his presence in Hooghly on Saturday reflected the Centre’s sustained focus on West Bengal, with projects worth hundreds of crores launched within 24 hours.

Highlighting major rail initiatives, the Prime Minister said that the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal on Friday. He added that the state has already received nearly half a dozen Amrit Bharat Express trains, and three more were flagged off today. One of these trains will strengthen connectivity between his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and Bengal, while others will connect the state with Delhi and Tamil Nadu. He described the last 24 hours as “unprecedented” for Bengal’s rail connectivity.

Modi stressed that West Bengal has immense potential in river waterways and port-led development. He inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several projects related to ports and inland waterways, calling them critical pillars for transforming the state into a hub of manufacturing, trade, and logistics. He also highlighted the Centre’s investments in expanding the capacity of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port under the Sagarmala scheme, noting that Kolkata Port had created new cargo-handling records last year.

Referring to the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, the Prime Minister said it would reduce congestion in Kolkata, ease logistics pressure, and boost cargo movement through the Ganga waterway. He predicted that this infrastructure would turn Hooghly into a major warehousing and trading centre, attracting new investments, generating thousands of jobs, and benefiting farmers, small traders, and transporters.

Modi further emphasized India’s growing focus on multimodal connectivity and green mobility, integrating ports, riverways, highways, and airports to reduce logistics costs and travel time. He said hybrid electric boats would promote eco-friendly river transport on the Hooghly, curb pollution, and strengthen river-based tourism.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s rapid progress in fisheries and seafood exports and expressed his hope that West Bengal would emerge as a national leader in this sector. He assured continued support for farmers and fishermen under the Union Government’s development initiatives.

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