Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal programme during which he inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth Rs 4500 crore in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The development projects included the flagging off of the Siliguri-Radhikapur train, via video link.

Addressing the event, PM Modi said that the Central government is doing its best for the development of West Bengal. He 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

“There was a time when the trains entered north-east, the speed used to reduce. But the effort of our government is to increase the speed of trains in North Bengal in the same way as it is being increased in the entire country.”

PM Modi 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, while the Siliguri – Samuktala route will reduce pollution in the nearing forest areas.

Further, the electrification of Barsoi – Radhikapur section will benefit both Bihar and West Bengal

The Prime Minister also inaugurated two National Highway projects worth Rs. 3,100 crores in West Bengal. The projects include four-lane Ghoshpukur-Dhupguri Section of NH 27 and four-lane Islampur Bypass on NH 27.