PM Modi gifts Rs 3,250 crore worth projects for Bengal: Here’s a list
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train and laid the foundation stone for multiple rail and road infrastructure projects in poll-bound West Bengal on Saturday.
5 min readKolkataUpdated: Jan 17, 2026 03:52 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets from the train coach of newly flagged off Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Howrah and Guwahati, in Malda on Saturday. (DPR PMO/ANI Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday gifted several rail and road projects, worth over Rs 3,250 crore, to poll-bound West Bengal, on his two-day visit to the state.
Modi, who arrived in Malda from Purnea in Bihar, flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper trainrunning between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from Malda Town railway station. He was accompanied by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, and other leaders.
“Today, we have begun the fast progress of Bengal from Malda. These railway projects will benefit the people of Bengal, especially the youth, and also boost business in the region. This new Vande Bharat Sleeper train will enhance the quality of long journeys, making them more memorable. The Vande Bharat represents how trains in a Viksit Bharat should be,” PM Modi said. Earlier, he interacted with school students aboard the train and accepted drawings from students at the station, which had been decorated for the ceremony.
PM Modi virtually flagged off the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Howrah service and also laid the foundation stone for multiple rail and road infrastructure projects, aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in West Bengal and the North East.
“There was a time when we looked at trains abroad and wished for similar ones in India. Today, those dreams are coming true. I see foreign tourists taking pictures of Indian trains and metros, posting about the development and transformation of our railways. The Vande Bharat train is made in India, built with our sweat. This is the first sleeper train connecting the land of Ma Kali with the land of Ma Kamakhya,” he said.
‘Airline-like travel experience’
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper is fully air-conditioned and designed to offer passengers an airline-like travel experience at economical fares. It will make long-distance journeys faster, safer, and more convenient, reducing travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati route. The train is also expected to boost religious tourism.
With ergonomically designed berths, ample luggage space, modern toilets, divyangjan-friendly facilities, modular pantries, and advanced disinfectant technology, the sleeper ensures a comfortable overnight journey. Equipped with the indigenous Kavach system, advanced fire safety features, and CCTV surveillance, the train sets new benchmarks in safe, efficient, and world-class rail travel.
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Four major railway projects
PM Modi laid the foundation stone for four major railway projects in West Bengal: new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Shed, and modernisation of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district. These projects will assist in passenger and freight operations, improve logistics efficiency in North Bengal, and generate employment opportunities in the region. He also inaugurated the electrification of rail lines between New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat, enabling faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient train operations.
Four new Amrit Bharat Express trains
PM Modi virtually flagged off four New Amrit Bharat Express trains–New Jalpaiguri- Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express; New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express; Alipurduar–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express; Alipurduar–Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express. These services will provide affordable and reliable long-distance rail connectivity for students, migrant workers, traders, etc., while also strengthening inter-state economic and social linkages.
“Today, Bengal received four new Amrit Bharat Express trains, which will help connect north Bengal with the west and south of India. These trains will also benefit tourists visiting Ganganagar, Dakshineswar, and Kalighat, as well as those travelling to Maharashtra and the South,” PM Modi said.
He also flagged off two new train services equipped with LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) coaches: Radhikapur–SMVT Bengaluru Express, and Balurghat–SMVT Bengaluru Express—offering safe and comfortable travel to major IT and employment hubs such as Bengaluru.
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“Indian Railways is becoming independent and upgraded. We are producing more locomotives than America and Europe, and exporting coaches that strengthen our economy and create employment. It is our mission to reduce distances,” he added.
Road connectivity projects
PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the rehabilitation and four-laning of the Dhupguri–Falakata section of National Highway-31D, a key road project that will improve regional road connectivity and facilitate smoother movement of passengers and goods in North Bengal.
These projects are expected to play a vital role in building modern infrastructure and improved connectivity, strengthening the eastern and north-eastern regions as key growth engines.
Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage.
Experience
Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness.
Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances.
Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including:
State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies.
Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues.
Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).
Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More
