Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Launch Major Development Projects in Bihar and West Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the states of Bihar and West Bengal on Friday, where he will oversee the inauguration of several significant development projects. These initiatives are expected to bring substantial benefits to both regions, with a total investment exceeding Rs 7,200 crore in Bihar and over Rs 5,000 crore in West Bengal.
During his visit to Motihari in Bihar, the Prime Minister will dedicate or lay the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 7,200 crore. These include developments in software technology parks, four new Amrit Bharat trains, road projects, and more. The PM emphasized that these projects will create opportunities for the people of the region, improving their quality of life and economic prospects.
In Durgapur, West Bengal, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stones for various projects and also inaugurate initiatives worth over Rs 5,000 crore. These projects span sectors such as oil and gas, power, railways, and roads. The PM highlighted that the people of West Bengal have been affected by the current administration’s policies and are now looking towards the BJP for development and progress.
Enhancing Connectivity and Infrastructure
The Prime Minister is committed to boosting connectivity and infrastructure across the country. One of the key rail projects being dedicated is the automatic signaling system between the Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line. This will enhance train operations in the region. Additionally, the doubling of the Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur rail lines under the Darbhanga-Samastipur doubling project, valued at over Rs 580 crore, aims to increase train capacity and reduce delays.
Other rail projects include the development of infrastructure for maintaining Vande Bharat trains at Patliputra, automatic signaling on the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line, and the upgradation of the traction system in the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin section. These upgrades will enable higher train speeds, improve energy efficiency, and streamline operations.
The Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj rail line doubling project, worth approximately Rs 4,080 crore, will enhance sectional capacity, allowing more passenger and freight trains to operate efficiently. This will strengthen connectivity between North Bihar and the rest of the country.
Road Infrastructure Developments
In addition to rail improvements, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Ara bypass on NH-319. This project will provide seamless connectivity and reduce travel time between Ara-Mohania on NH-319 and Patna-Buxar on NH-922. He will also inaugurate the four-lane Parariya to Mohania section of NH-319, which is part of NH-319 and connects Ara Town to NH-02 (Golden Quadrilateral). This will improve both freight and passenger movement.
Other road projects include a 2-lane road with a paved shoulder from Sarwan to Chakai on NH-333C, which will facilitate the movement of goods and people and act as a key link between Bihar and Jharkhand.
IT and Fisheries Development
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the New Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility at Darbhanga and the state-of-the-art Incubation Facility of STPI at Patna. These facilities aim to promote the IT/ITES/ESDM industry and startups, boosting IT software and service exports while nurturing the tech startup ecosystem.
In a major step for Bihar’s fisheries sector, the PM will launch fisheries development projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These projects include modern fisheries infrastructure such as fish hatcheries, biofloc units, ornamental fish farming, integrated aquaculture units, and fish feed mills. These initiatives will generate employment, enhance fish production, and accelerate socio-economic development in rural areas.
Rail and Economic Initiatives
The Prime Minister will flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains, improving connectivity between Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) and New Delhi, Bapudham Motihari to Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal), Darbhanga to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar), and Malda Town to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur.
He will also release Rs 400 crore to around 61,500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Bihar under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). With a focus on women-led development, over 10 crore women have been connected to SHGs.
Additionally, the PM will hand over keys to beneficiaries as part of the Griha Pravesh ceremony for 12,000 beneficiaries and release over Rs 160 crore to 40,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin.
West Bengal Projects
For West Bengal, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts, worth around Rs 1,950 crore. This project will provide PNG connections to households, commercial establishments, and industrial customers, along with CNG at retail outlets, creating employment opportunities.
He will also dedicate the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 km) of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project. This pipeline, worth over Rs 1,190 crore, will supply natural gas to lakhs of households in the region.
In line with his commitment to clean air and health security, the PM will dedicate the Retrofitting Pollution Control System-Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) of Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station of Damodar Valley Corporation, worth over Rs 1,457 crore. These projects will support cleaner energy production and create employment opportunities.
Boosting Rail Connectivity
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila Rail Line (36 km) in Purulia, worth over Rs 390 crore. This will improve rail connectivity between industries in Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad with Ranchi and Kolkata, enhancing the efficient movement of goods trains.
Under the Setu Bharatam Programme, the PM will inaugurate two road over bridges (ROBs) constructed at Topsi and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman, worth over Rs 380 crore. These ROBs will improve connectivity and prevent accidents at railway level crossings.
