Malda/New Delhi, 17 January (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Saturday that West Bengal's railway development has gained fresh momentum and new dimensions. He highlighted that India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, launched on the Howrah-Guwahati route, connects the land of Maa Kali to the soil of Maa Kamakhya.
Meanwhile, four new Amrit Bharat Express trains now provide West Bengal with enhanced connectivity to the northern, southern, and western regions of the country.
Prime Minister Modi addressed a ceremony after inaugurating the nation's inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper Train along with various railway and road projects from Malda Town Railway Station in West Bengal. Attendees included Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shantanu Thakur, Sukanta Majumdar, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, and Members of Parliament Shomik Bhattacharya, Khagen Murmu, and Kartick Chandra Pol.
Railway Modernization Milestone
The Prime Minister stated that efforts to accelerate West Bengal's development have intensified today, marking another major step toward modernizing Indian Railways. Several other development projects linked to the state—through foundation laying and inaugurations—will enhance passenger convenience while boosting trade and employment.
He remarked, From this sacred land of Bengal... India today launches Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains. These new trains will make long journeys for countrymen more comfortable, splendid, and memorable. This first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train of the nation, made in India with the sweat of Indians, links Maa Kali's land to Maa Kamakhya's soil. Its expansion across the country will follow in due course.
Connectivity and Self-Reliance Boost
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that this Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will create new opportunities for Bengal's youth and strengthen regional connectivity, symbolizing Atmanirbhar Bharat's strength. He congratulated Bengal, Assam, and the entire nation on this achievement, assuring nationwide rollout of such modern sleeper trains ahead.
Similarly, West Bengal gains four modern Amrit Bharat Express trains: New Jalpaiguri-Nagarcoil, New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli, Alipurduar-Bengaluru, and Alipurduar-Mumbai. These will fortify connectivity between Bengal—especially North Bengal—and South and West India, easing travel for pilgrims to Ganga Sagar, Dakshineswar, and Kalighat, as well as those heading to Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Transformative Infrastructure Projects
Recounting passenger interactions, the Prime Minister noted that people once dreamed of foreign trains seen in photos and videos; today, that dream is reality, with foreigners now showcasing India's metro and rail revolutions globally.
Indian Railways is undergoing renaissance—modernizing, electrifying rapidly, redeveloping stations, and operating multiple Vande Bharat trains. The nation manufactures engines, coaches, and metro coaches domestically, producing more locomotives than America or Europe and exporting passenger trains and metro coaches worldwide.
A high-speed modern train network benefits the poor and middle class immensely, spurring economic growth and massive youth employment. On this occasion, he laid foundation stones for four major railway projects in West Bengal: Balurghat-Hili new rail line, modern freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri Loco Shed upgradation, and Vande Bharat maintenance modernization at Jalpaiguri.
He dedicated electrification of New Cooch Behar-Bamanhat and New Cooch Behar-Boxesirhat rail lines to the nation.
Additionally, via video link, he flagged off four new Amrit Bharat Express trains and launched two LHB-coach-equipped services: Radhikapur-Bengaluru Express and Balurghat-Bengaluru Express. These will offer direct, safe, comfortable connectivity for regional youth, students, and IT professionals to major IT and job hubs like Bengaluru.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for repairing and widening National Highway-31D's Dhupguri-Falakata section to four lanes, significantly improving regional road connectivity and facilitating smoother passenger and goods movement in North Bengal.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
