Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and flagged off multiple development projects worth more than Rs 8.30 billion at Singur in Hooghly district, West Bengal. The projects are aimed at strengthening rail connectivity, port-led development and inland waterways infrastructure, giving a fresh push to economic growth in the state.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that after being in Malda a day earlier, it was a privilege to interact with people in Hooghly. He emphasised that the development of eastern India is crucial for building a developed India and said the Union Government is consistently working towards this goal. Modi noted that over the last two days, projects worth hundreds of crores linked to West Bengal’s development have been inaugurated and launched.

Highlighting recent rail initiatives, the Prime Minister said the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal, along with nearly half a dozen new Amrit Bharat Express services. He added that three more Amrit Bharat Express trains were flagged off at Singur, including one that will further strengthen connectivity between Varanasi and Bengal. Additional services connecting Bengal with Delhi and Tamil Nadu were also launched, making the last 24 hours significant for the state’s rail network.

Modi underlined West Bengal’s vast potential in waterways and port-led development. He said projects related to ports and inland waterways were inaugurated and foundation stones laid, noting that these would play a key role in transforming the state into a hub for manufacturing, trade and logistics. The Prime Minister pointed to sustained investments over the past 11 years in expanding the capacity of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port and improving connectivity under the Sagarmala programme, adding that Kolkata Port recorded new cargo-handling milestones last year.

The Prime Minister said the extended port gate system being developed at Balagarh would create new opportunities for Hooghly and surrounding regions by easing traffic congestion in Kolkata and boosting cargo movement through the Ganga waterway. He said this infrastructure would help develop Hooghly as a warehousing and trading hub, attract fresh investments, generate employment, and benefit farmers, traders and transporters.

Emphasising the focus on multimodal connectivity and green mobility, Modi said ports, waterways, highways and airports are being seamlessly integrated to reduce logistics costs and transit time. He added that hybrid electric boats would strengthen river transport, reduce pollution and promote river-based tourism along the Hooghly.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s rapid progress in fisheries and seafood production, expressing hope that West Bengal would emerge as a leader in the sector. He said the Union Government’s continued support for waterways and allied infrastructure would further accelerate the state’s development.

Governor of West Bengal C V Ananda Bose, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Shantanu Thakur and Sukanta Majumdar were among the dignitaries present at the event.