Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled connectivity projects worth Rs 18,680 crore in West Bengal and said a new chapter of India’s development was being written from the state.

He laid the foundation stone for five sections of the 231-km-long four-lane Kharagpur–Moregram economic corridor, which is expected to reduce the travel distance by about 120 km and save nearly seven to eight hours.

The road, part of the economic corridor between Kharagpur and Siliguri, will pass through the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad, officials said.

The corridor will integrate key national highways including National Highway 16, National Highway 19, National Highway 14 and National Highway 12, strengthening multi-corridor connectivity.

The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for a 5.6-km-long four-lane Dubrajpur bypass and additional four-lane bridges over the Kangshabati River and Shilabati River on NH-14.

Modi flagged off the Purulia–Anand Vihar Terminal Express and unveiled six redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The stations are Kamakhyaguri, Anara, Tamluk, Haldia, Barabhum and Siuri.

He also dedicated two railway projects to the nation — the 16-km-long third rail line between Belda and Dantan, and the automatic block signalling system between Kalaikunda and Kanimohuli in the South Eastern Railway.

Highlighting the government’s focus on rail infrastructure, Modi said a mission had been undertaken to modernise Indian Railways.

The prime minister also inaugurated sections of NH-19 and NH-114 aimed at improving road safety, reducing travel time, easing congestion and pollution, and boosting tourism and economic growth in the region.

Additionally, he inaugurated the mechanisation of Berth 2 at the Haldia Dock Complex and the rejuvenation project at Khidderpore Docks.

Modi also laid the foundation for multiple port infrastructure projects, including the mechanisation of Berth 5 at Haldia Dock Complex and the renovation of the Bascule Bridge.

He further laid the foundation stone for a river cruise terminal and river tourism facility near the Indenture Memorial in the city.

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Assembly elections in West Bengal are expected to be held in April.