Delhi, 17 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on 18th July includes significant engagements in Bihar and West Bengal, focusing on the launch and inauguration of various development projects. In Bihar, he will be laying the foundation stone, inaugurating, and dedicating projects exceeding Rs 7,200 crore at Motihari around 11:30 AM, followed by a public function. In West Bengal, he will undertake similar initiatives at Durgapur at approximately 3 PM, with projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore.
In Bihar, the Prime Minister's focus spans various sectors including Rail, Road, Rural Development, Fisheries, Electronics and Information Technology. He is set to dedicate multiple rail projects, such as the automatic signalling on the Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line for more efficient train operations. Other rail enhancements include the doubling of the Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur lines, part of a Rs 580 crore project aimed at increasing train operation capacity and reducing delays.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation for other rail infrastructure, including a maintenance facility for Vande Bharat trains in Patliputra, automatic signalling on the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line, and traction system upgrades for enhanced train speeds. The doubling of the Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj rail line, costing around Rs 4,080 crore, will improve passenger and freight train operations and connectivity between North Bihar and other regions.
Significant road infrastructure projects will also be launched, including the 4-laning of the Ara bypass on NH-319, enhancing connectivity between Ara-Mohania and Patna-Buxar routes. The inauguration of a 4-lane section of NH-319 from Parariya to Mohania, valued at over Rs 820 crore, aims to streamline freight and passenger movement, while a 2-lane link between Sarwan and Chakai on NH-333C will improve regional connections.
In the IT sector, new Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facilities will be inaugurated in Darbhanga and Patna to promote the IT/ITES/ESDM industry and support startups, potentially boosting software exports and nurturing innovation among entrepreneurs. In the fisheries sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), enhancing Bihar's aquaculture through infrastructures like hatcheries and biofloc units, which will create jobs and foster socio-economic development in rural areas.
On the rail connectivity front, he will flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains enhancing travel between key locations such as Patna, Delhi, and Lucknow. He will also allocate Rs 400 crore to support around 61,500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, focusing on women-led development initiatives. Additionally, he will oversee the Griha Pravesh ceremony for 12,000 beneficiaries and disburse over Rs 160 crore for 40,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin.
In West Bengal, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation for and dedicate various projects valued at approximately Rs 5000 crore in sectors like Oil and Gas, Power, Road and Rail. A crucial focus will be the Bharat Petroleum Corporation’s City Gas Distribution project in the Bankura and Purulia districts worth around Rs 1,950 crore, aimed at providing PNG connections and creating local jobs.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Durgapur-Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia natural gas pipeline, part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project, facilitating natural gas supply to numerous households, worth Rs 1,190 crore. He will further dedicate pollution control systems for thermal power stations, estimated at over Rs 1,457 crore, enhancing cleaner energy production.
Enhancements in rail infrastructure include the doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila rail line to improve connectivity between major industrial regions and the inauguration of road over bridges in Paschim Bardhaman to enhance traffic safety and connectivity.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
