PM Modi flags off 4 Amrit Bharat Express trains, adds Rs 3,250 crore infrastructure muscle to poll-bound West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple rail and road projects valued at over Rs 3,250 crore in West Bengal. He also launched India's inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper Train. Four new Amrit Bharat Express trains were introduced, enhancing connectivity for citizens, students, and workers. Several railway projects and road upgrades were also dedicated to the nation, boosting regional infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 3,250 crore at Malda in West Bengal after flagging off India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train from Howrah to Guwahati. This includes four new Amrit Bharat Express trains for the North-Eastern part of India.

The new Amrit Bharat Express trains include New Jalpaiguri- Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express; New Jalpaiguri- Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express; Alipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express; and Alipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express.

Also read: PM Modi flags off India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah-Guwahati in poll-bound West Bengal

"Today, another big step has been taken towards the modernization of Indian Railways. Starting today, Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are being introduced in India," Modi said during a public address at Malda. "In the coming times, this modern train will expand across the entire country."

He noted that India is now manufacturing more locomotives than America and Europe. "We are exporting passenger and metro train coaches to many countries. This strengthens our economy and generates employment," he said.

"These services will support the mobility needs of common citizens, students, migrant workers and traders, while strengthening inter-state economic and social linkages," the PMO said in a release.

Under this infra boost, he laid the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including the new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Shed, and modernization of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district. He also dedicated to the nation the electrification of rail lines between New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat.

PM Modi also flagged off two new train services equipped with LHB coaches - Radhikapur – SMVT Bengaluru Express; and Balurghat – SMVT Bengaluru Express. "These trains will provide the region's youth, students, and IT professionals with direct, safe, and comfortable travel connectivity to major IT and employment hubs such as Bengaluru," the government said in a release.

Other infrastructure projects include rehabilitation and four-laning of the Dhupguri–Falakata section of National Highway-31D, a key road project that will improve regional road connectivity in North Bengal.

Following the inauguration programme, Modi is scheduled to address a BJP meeting from the same venue to accelerate the party's push for the upcoming assembly elections.

On a two-day visit to eastern India, PM Modi will crisscross poll-bound Bengal and Assam, blending high-voltage political messaging with a clutch of infrastructure launches as the countdown to the 2026 assembly elections enters its decisive phase.

On Sunday, the prime minister will address a keenly monitored political meeting from Singur in Hooghly district. The key election constituency has been the epicentre of the anti-land acquisition movement that propelled TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to power in 2011 and reshaped the state's political landscape.

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Source: EconomicTimes
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