Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated multiple developmental projects of rail and road sector worth more than Rs. 4500 crores from Siliguri today.
The Prime Minister dedicated to nation multiple electrification projects of 438.77 kmof rail lines benefiting people of North Bengal and nearby region. The projects include Eklakhi – Balurghat section; Barsoi – Radhikapur section; Raninagar Jalpaiguri – Haldibari section; Siliguri – Aluabari section via Bagdogra and Siliguri – Sivok – Alipurduar Jn. – Samuktala (including Alipurduar Jn. – New Coochbehar) section.
Prime Minister also dedicated other important railway projects including the project for doubling of railway line in Manigram – Nimtita section and automatic block signaling in Ambari Falakata – Aluabari including electronic Interlocking in New Jalpaiguri. The Prime Minister flagged off a new passenger train service between Siliguri and Radhikapur. Doubling of railway line in this section will facilitate movement of coal rakes to the thermal power plants. These rail projects will improve rail connectivity, facilitate freight movement and contribute to employment generation and economic growth in the region.
Earlier, The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation two railway doubling projects of 70.59 km rail lines from Jorhat in Assam. Doubling of Dhupdhara – Chhaygaon section, part of New Bongaigaon – Goalpara – Kamakhya doubling project and doubling of New Bongaigaon – Sorbhog section,part of New Bongaigaon – Rangiya–Agthori doubling project were dedicated to the nation.These projects have been completed at a cost of Rs. 1328 crores. These projects will help in decongestion of both rail sections and help in smooth movement of train services. Socio-Economic growth of people of the region will also get a huge boost due to increase in freight train movement.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister underlined that the Northern part of West Bengal is the gateway to the Northeast and also provides trade channels with neighbouring countries. He emphasized the need for modernized rail and road infrastructure and mentioned the completion of work on the electrification of rail lines on Eklakhi – Balurghat, Raninagar Jalpaiguri – Haldibari and Siliguri – Aluabari sections which will increase the speed of trains in the areas of North and South Dinajpur, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts, while the Siliguri – Samuktala route will reduce pollution in the nearing forest areas. The electrification of Barsoi – Radhikapur section will benefit both Bihar and West Bengal, he said. Referring to the flagging off of new train service between Radhikapur and Siliguri, PM Modi said that the strengthening of railways in West Bengal will give momentum to new possibilities of development and make lives easier for the common people. The Prime Minister said that the government is committed to maintaining the same speed of development works with more investment in connectivity and introduction of high-speed trains as being launched in other parts. He also mentioned that with the introduction of the Mitali Express between New Jalpaiguri to Dhaka Cantt, rail connectivity with Bangladesh has started and both the Govt of India and Bangladesh have emphasized for further enhancement of such connectivity upto Radhikapur.
Along with the various railway projects, the Prime Minister also inaugurated two National Highway projects in North Bengal, virtually laid foundation stone of several developmental and infrastructural projects in Assam and inaugurated, dedicated and laid foundation stone of multiple development projects in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
