In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s infrastructure and socio-economic landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a series of ambitious regional development projects across Bihar and West Bengal. These initiatives, collectively valued at over Rs 12,200 crore, underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering growth, connectivity, and opportunity in these key eastern states. The projects span critical sectors such as railways, roads, oil and gas, power, IT, and fisheries, promising a new era of prosperity for millions.
Driving Regional Development in Bihar: A Multi-faceted Approach
During his visit to Motihari, Bihar, Prime Minister Modi dedicated and laid the foundation stones for regional development works exceeding Rs 7,200 crore. These comprehensive projects are poised to unlock immense potential and create new avenues for the populace.
- Software Technology Parks (STPI):
- Inauguration of a new STPI facility at Darbhanga.
- Launch of a state-of-the-art Incubation Facility of STPI at Patna.
- Goal: To promote the IT/ITES/ESDM Industry and Startups, boost IT software and service exports, nurture the tech startup ecosystem, and encourage innovation and intellectual property rights.
- Railway Infrastructure Enhancement:
- Automatic signalling between the Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line for efficient train operations.
- Doubling of Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur rail lines (part of the Darbhanga-Samastipur doubling project, over Rs 580 crore) to enhance capacity and reduce delays.
- Development of infrastructure for maintaining Vande Bharat trains at Patliputra.
- Automatic signalling on the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line (114 km) for streamlined operations.
- Upgradation of the traction system in the Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin section for higher train speeds and energy optimization.
- Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj rail line doubling project (approximately Rs 4,080 crore) to increase sectional capacity, enable more passenger and freight trains, and strengthen connectivity between North Bihar and the rest of the country.
- Boosting Road Connectivity for Regional Development:
- Foundation stone for the four-laning of the Ara bypass on NH-319, connecting Ara-Mohania and Patna-Buxar, ensuring seamless connectivity and reduced travel time.
- Inauguration of the four-lane Parariya to Mohania section of NH-319 (over Rs 820 crore), improving freight and passenger movement.
- A 2-lane road with a paved shoulder from Sarwan to Chakai on NH-333C, facilitating goods and people movement and acting as a key link between Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Strengthening:
- Inauguration of multiple fisheries development projects under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
- Includes: New fish hatcheries, biofloc units, ornamental fish farming, integrated aquaculture units, and fish feed mills across various districts.
- Expected Impact: Generation of employment opportunities, enhanced fish production, promotion of entrepreneurship, and accelerated socio-economic development in rural Bihar.
- New Amrit Bharat Trains:
- Flagging off four new Amrit Bharat trains:
- Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) to New Delhi
- Bapudham Motihari to Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal)
- Darbhanga to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar)
- Malda Town to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur
- Objective: Improving connectivity and accessibility in the region.
- Flagging off four new Amrit Bharat trains:
- Empowering Self-Help Groups and Housing:
- Release of Rs 400 crore to approximately 61,500 Self-Help Groups in Bihar under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), with a focus on women-led development.
- Griha Pravesh ceremony for 12,000 beneficiaries and release of over Rs 160 crore to 40,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin.
West Bengal’s Path to Regional Development: Energy, Environment, and Connectivity
In Durgapur, West Bengal, PM Modi laid foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore, significantly impacting the state’s energy security, environmental health, and transportation network.
- Oil and Gas Sector Growth:
- Foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts (around Rs 1,950 crore).
- Benefits: Providing PNG connections to households, commercial establishments, industrial customers, and CNG at retail outlets, along with creating employment opportunities.
- Dedication of the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 Km) of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline (over Rs 1,190 crore), part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project, facilitating natural gas supply to lakhs of households.
- Environmental Protection and Cleaner Energy:
- Dedication of Retrofitting Pollution Control System-Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) of Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station of Damodar Valley Corporation (over Rs 1,457 crore).
- Impact: Supporting cleaner energy production and creating employment opportunities.
- Enhanced Rail Infrastructure:
- Dedication of the doubling of the Purulia – Kotshila Rail Line (36 km) in Purulia (over Rs 390 crore).
- Advantage: Improved rail connectivity between industries in Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad with Ranchi and Kolkata, enhancing efficient movement of goods trains, reducing travel time, and improving logistics for industries and businesses.
- Improved Road Over Bridges (ROBs):
- Inauguration of two ROBs constructed under the Setu Bharatam Programme (over Rs 380 crore) at Topsi and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman.
- Result: Enhanced connectivity and prevention of accidents at railway level crossings.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that while West Bengal has faced challenges, the people now look to the BJP with hope, convinced that only the party can deliver on the promise of development. These projects, he affirmed, are a testament to the government’s unwavering resolve to drive growth, boost connectivity, and open doors of opportunity for the citizens of both Bihar and West Bengal, truly ushering in a new era of regional development.
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