PM Modi gives a major gift to Singur: Says all central projects will accelerate development in Bengal

Singur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 830 crore in West Bengal and flagged off three Amrit Bharat trains connecting Kolkata to other parts of the country. During a ceremony held in Singur, Hooghly district, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Jairambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur railway line and flagged off a train running between Maynapur and Jairambati.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Modi said that all central projects will accelerate the development of West Bengal. He said that the central government is working to achieve the goal of developing eastern India. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Modi laid the foundation stone for the expanded ‘Port Gate System’, including an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a road overbridge in Balagarh, Hooghly district.

Spread over approximately 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo handling terminal with an estimated capacity of approximately 2.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The Balagarh project aims to significantly improve cargo evacuation capacity by diverting ship traffic from congested corridors. Modi also flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Kolkata to New Delhi, Varanasi, and Chennai. These trains will run on the Howrah-Anand Vihar Terminal, Sealdah-Banaras, and Santragachi-Tambaram routes. Prime Minister Modi said, “The central government has made a huge investment in the capacity expansion of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port over the past 11 years. Roads have also been constructed under the Sagarmala scheme to improve the port’s connectivity. We can all see the results. Last year, Kolkata Port set new records in cargo handling. The extended port gate system being built in Balagarh will open new opportunities for Hooghly and the surrounding areas.

This will reduce traffic and logistical pressure on the city of Kolkata. The waterway developed on the Ganges River will further increase cargo movement. Today, in India, we are placing great emphasis on multimodal connectivity and green mobility. This is to ensure seamless transportation. For this purpose, ports, inland waterways, highways, and airports are all being interconnected.”

He added that hybrid electric ferries will strengthen river transport and green transportation, making travel on the Hooghly River easier, reducing pollution, and promoting river-based tourism. India is making rapid progress in fisheries and seafood production and exports.