Delhi, 18 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bihar and West Bengal on 18th July to inaugurate and lay the foundation for multiple development projects valued at over Rs 7,200 crore in Bihar and Rs 5,000 crore in West Bengal. The Bihar visit will begin at around 11:30 AM at Motihari, where he will address the public.

In Bihar, the focus will be on enhancing infrastructure across sectors including Rail, Road, Rural Development, Fisheries, Electronics, and Information Technology. Notable railway projects comprise the implementation of automatic signaling on the Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line, which will improve train operations. The doubling projects on the Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur lines—part of an overall project costing over Rs 580 crore—are aimed at increasing the operational capacity and reducing delays.

Prime Minister Modi will also lay the groundwork for several rail initiatives, including a maintenance facility for Vande Bharat trains and infrastructural upgrades on the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line to facilitate higher speeds. An additional major rail project, the Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj line, worth around Rs 4,080 crore, aims to enhance connectivity between North Bihar and other parts of the country.

On the road front, the Prime Minister will initiate the 4-laning of the Ara bypass of NH-319, providing better connectivity between Ara-Mohania and Patna-Buxar. The inauguration of the 4-lane section from Parariya to Mohania of NH-319, valued over Rs 820 crore, is set to improve passenger and freight movement. Other road infrastructure projects include improvements on NH-333C to connect Bihar with Jharkhand.

In the technology sector, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate new Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Darbhanga and Patna to bolster the IT and startups ecosystem, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial growth. Additionally, he will unveil several fisheries development projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, modernizing fish production and aquaculture in Bihar, generating jobs, and contributing to rural economic advancement.

A significant highlight will be the launch of four new Amrit Bharat trains to enhance railway connectivity in the region. The Prime Minister will also release Rs 400 crore under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, which focuses on empowering women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Furthermore, he will hand over keys to beneficiaries as part of the Griha Pravesh initiative for 12,000 individuals.

Following Bihar, the Prime Minister will head to West Bengal around 3 PM to inaugurate various development projects in sectors like Oil, Gas, Power, Road, and Rail. He will kickstart the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd's City Gas Distribution project in the Bankura and Purulia districts, valued at approximately Rs 1,950 crore, aimed at providing PNG connections and creating local job opportunities.

He will also dedicate the Durgapur to Kolkata section of the natural gas pipeline, which is part of the larger Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project and facilitates natural gas supply to thousands of households. Initiatives aimed at cleaner energy will see the installation of pollution control systems at thermal power stations worth Rs 1,457 crore.

For railway improvements, the doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila rail line, costing Rs 390 crore, aims to enhance logistics and connectivity for industries between Ranchi and Kolkata. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two road over bridges constructed under the Setu Bharatam Programme, enhancing safety and connectivity.

Overall, Modi's visits underscore a strong commitment to infrastructure development, technological advancements, and socio-economic growth in both Bihar and West Bengal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar