Singur, West Bengal,18 January (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a transformative bouquet of development initiatives exceeding ₹830 crore in Hooghly district on Sunday, flagging off three Amrit Bharat Express trains linking Kolkata to distant corners while inaugurating vital rail and port infrastructure to supercharge West Bengal's connectivity.
Kaziranga-Inspired Wildlife Corridor Takes Flight in Bengal
At Singur—symbolic epicenter of the aborted Tata Nano saga—Modi laid the foundation for the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, incorporating an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and road overbridge spanning 900 acres with 2.7 million tonnes annual cargo capacity.
This eco-conscious hub diverts freight from urban chokepoints, slashing congestion, pollution, and travel times while unlocking market access for MSMEs and farmers, alongside direct/indirect job surges in logistics and allied sectors.
Rail Renaissance Links Pilgrimage Heartlands, Urban Hubs
PM Modi commissioned the Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur rail line—key segment of Tarkeshwar-Bishnupur project—flagging off its inaugural service to ease pilgrim commutes from Bankura while boosting student and daily wage connectivity.
Three Amrit Bharat flag-offs followed: Howrah-Anand Vihar Terminal, Sealdah-Banaras, and Santragachi-Tambaram, fortifying long-haul corridors with modern amenities.
Electric Catamaran Sails Hooghly's Eco-Waves
An advanced electric catamaran debuted in Kolkata, pioneering urban river mobility, eco-tourism, and last-mile links along the Hooghly, blending sustainability with passenger convenience amid BJP's pointed industrialization pitch against TMC's alleged syndicate barriers ahead of assembly polls.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
