- Will have to win all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal: PM Modi at BJP rally in Krishnanagar
- In Bengal, criminals decide when they want to be arrested: PM Modi on Sandeshkhali
- TMC means 'Tu, Main aur Corruption': PM Modi in Bengal
- Will have to win all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal: PM Modi at BJP rally in Krishnanagar
- Seeing the turnout here is giving me confidence to say 'NDA sarkar, 400 paar': PM Modi at rally in Bengal's Krishnanagar
- People of Bengal disappointed by the way TMC govt is functioning: PM Modi at Krishnanagar rally
- TMC synonymous with atrocities, dynasty politics, betrayal: PM Modi in Bengal's Krishnanagar, reports PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Centre had tried to bridge the development gap in Bengal for the last ten years while inaugurating a set of government projects worth Rs 15,000 crore at Nadia’s Krishnanagar.
“After Independence despite all the capabilities, Bengal’s development did not move in the right direction. We have tried for course correction,” Modi said.
Infrastructure projects worth Rs 15,000 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones for upcoming ones were laid by the Prime Minister on Saturday.
“Earlier it would take four hours to reach Raigunj from Farakka. Now it can be done in two hours. This will also help the residents of Kaliachak, Sujapur and Malda town,” Modi said.
"Today, we are taking yet another step towards a developed West Bengal. Yesterday, I laid the foundation of and inaugurated projects worth Rs 7,000 crore. The initiatives included development projects related to railways, ports and petroleum, among others. Today, again, I am laying the foundation of and inaugurating projects worth Rs 15,000 crore," Modi said.
"These projects will provide momentum to West Bengal's economic growth and create job opportunities," he added.
Modi said that West Bengal acts as the "eastern gate" of India.
"This gate has the potential to become the entry point of development in the east," he said.
"Our govt is developing infrastructure for connectivity via roadways, railways, waterways, and airways in the region," he said.
The PM laid the foundation stone of Damodar Valley Corporation's Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station Phase II (2x660 mw), located in the Purulia district.
He inaugurated the flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) system at Mejia Thermal Power Station, developed at Rs 650 crore.
"Electricity is an important factor that drives the development of every sector of the economy. We are trying to make West Bengal self-reliant for its present and future energy needs," he said.
"The foundation of the second phase of Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station is a step in that direction. This initiative will bring investments worth over Rs 11,000 crore in the state," he added.
Modi also inaugurated the four-laning of the 100-km-long Farakka-Raiganj section of NH-12, built at Rs 1,986 crore.
He dedicated to the nation four rail projects worth more than Rs 940 crore in the state. These are the doubling of the Damodar-Mohishila line, the third line between Rampurhat and Murarai, the doubling of Bazarsau-Azimganj rail line and a new line connecting Azimganj and Murshidabad, an official statement said.
The PM said that West Bengal once occupied a place of pride when it came to railways.
"But this legacy was not carried forward, and the state lagged behind," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi traversed a public rally venue in West Bengal's Krishnanagar in a hoodless vehicle and waved at the crowd.
He was flanked by BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of the Opposition in assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, in the vehicle.
He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Krishnanagar.
This is a breaking news. Please refresh the page for recent updates
