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PM Modi launches various development projects worth around ₹830 crore in Singur, West Bengal

Published By : Admin | January 18, 2026 | 15:00 IST
For the vision of a developed India, the development of Eastern India remains a priority, and with this goal, the Central Government is continuously working: PM
Yesterday, India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal. Nearly half a dozen Amrit Bharat Express trains were introduced earlier, and three more began operations today: PM
The Extended Port Gate System being built in Balagarh will open the doors to new opportunities for Hooghly and the surrounding areas: PM
India is placing strong emphasis on multi-modal connectivity and green mobility, with ports, waterways, highways and airports being interconnected for seamless transport: PM

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and flagged off various development projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district, West Bengal today. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Shri Modi remarked that yesterday he was in Malda and today he had the privilege of being among the people in Hooghly. He highlighted that for a developed India, the development of Eastern India is essential, and with this goal the Union Government is continuously working. He stated that the programmes of yesterday and today strengthen this resolve. The Prime Minister noted that during this period he had the opportunity to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate projects worth hundreds of crores related to the development of West Bengal.

Shri Modi highlighted that yesterday the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal. He added that Bengal has also received nearly half a dozen new Amrit Bharat Express trains. He remarked that today three more Amrit Bharat Express trains have been launched. He pointed out that one of these trains will further strengthen the connectivity between his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and Bengal. He further stated that Amrit Bharat Express trains have also been launched for Delhi and Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister underlined that the past 24 hours have been unprecedented for West Bengal’s rail connectivity.

Prime Minister Modi observed that Bengal has immense potential for waterways and the Union Government is working on this as well. He noted that assistance is being provided to build the necessary infrastructure for port-led development. He stated that a short while ago, projects related to ports and river waterways were also inaugurated and foundation stones laid. He emphasized that these are very important for the development of West Bengal and India. He remarked that these are the pillars on which West Bengal can be developed into a major hub of manufacturing, trade, and logistics. The Prime Minister congratulated everyone for these projects.

Shri Modi highlighted that the more emphasis is laid on ports and the associated ecosystem, the more employment will be generated here. He stated that over the past 11 years, the Union Government has made major investments in the capacity expansion of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port. He added that under the Sagarmala scheme, roads have also been constructed to improve the connectivity of this port. He remarked that the results of these efforts are now becoming visible. The Prime Minister noted that last year Kolkata Port created new records in cargo handling.

Prime Minister Modi remarked that the extended port gate system being developed in Balagarh will open new opportunities for Hooghly and surrounding areas. He highlighted that this will ease traffic and logistics pressure in Kolkata city. He stated that cargo movement will further increase through the waterway built on the Ganga. The Prime Minister emphasized that this entire infrastructure will help transform Hooghly into a warehousing and trading hub, bringing hundreds of crores of new investment, generating thousands of jobs, benefiting small traders and transporters, and providing new markets for farmers and producers.

Shri Modi underlined that India today is laying strong emphasis on multi‑modal connectivity and green mobility. He noted that to enable seamless transportation, ports, river waterways, highways, and airports are being interconnected. He remarked that this is reducing both logistics costs and transportation time. The Prime Minister added that efforts are also being made to ensure that modes of transport are nature‑friendly. He pointed out that hybrid electric boats will strengthen river transport and green mobility, making travel on the Hooghly easier, reducing pollution, and boosting river‑based tourism.

The Prime Minister observed that India is rapidly advancing in fisheries and seafood production and exports. He expressed his dream that West Bengal should lead the country in this sector. He highlighted that the Union Government is prominently supporting Bengal in its vision for river waterways, and farmers as well as fishermen are already benefiting from this. Shri Modi remarked that all these projects being initiated by the Union Government will accelerate West Bengal’s development journey. He extended his best wishes to everyone for these projects.

Governor of West Bengal, Shri C V Ananda Bose, Union Ministers, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Shri Shantanu Thakur, Shri Sukanta Majumdar were present among other dignitaries at the event.

Background

Prime Minister inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and flagged off various development projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur, Hooghly.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a Road Over Bridge

Spanning an area of approximately 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo handling terminal with an envisaged capacity of about 2.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The project includes the construction of two dedicated cargo handling jetties, one for containerised cargo and one for dry bulk cargo.

The Balagarh project aims to significantly improve cargo evacuation efficiency by diverting heavy cargo movement away from congested urban corridors. This will enhance road safety, reduce vehicular congestion and pollution in Kolkata city, and contribute to an improved quality of life for residents. Improved multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency will also provide cost-effective market access to regional industries, MSMEs, and agricultural producers. The project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment, benefiting local communities through job creation in logistics, terminal operations, transport services, maintenance, and allied activities.

Prime Minister also launched a state-of-the-art Electric Catamaran in Kolkata. This is one of the 6 Electric Catamarans indigenously built for inland water transport by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The 50-passenger hybrid electric aluminium catamaran, equipped with advanced electric propulsion systems and lithium-titanate battery technology, is capable of operating in fully electric zero-emission mode as well as in hybrid mode for extended endurance. The vessel will support urban river mobility, eco-tourism and last-mile passenger connectivity along the Hooghly River.

Prime Minister also inaugurated the Jayrambati–Barogopinathpur–Maynapur new rail line. This line is an important part of the Tarkeshwar–Bishnupur new rail line project. Along with the new rail line, a new train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati, with a halt at Barogopinathpur, will also be flagged off. It will provide direct rail connectivity to the residents of Bankura district, making travel more affordable and convenient for daily commuters, students and pilgrims.

Prime Minister flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains : Kolkata (Howrah) - Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express; Kolkata (Sealdah) - Banaras Amrit Bharat Express; Kolkata (Santragachi) - Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express.

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We must transform our shared geography into shared opportunities: PM Modi at SCO Summit
September 01, 2026

President of Kyrgyzstan,

Excellencies,

Namaskar!

It is a matter of great pleasure for me to be here amongst all of you on this special occasion of the 25th anniversary of the SCO.

I sincerely thank President Japarov for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to us in Bishkek.

We had the privilege of being here yesterday, on the occasion of Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day. I once again extend my warmest congratulations to the President and the people of Kyrgyzstan.

And today, on the occasion of Uzbekistan’s Independence Day, I extend my warmest congratulations to the President and the people of Uzbekistan as well.

During the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the World Nomad Games, we all caught a glimpse of Kyrgyzstan’s rich culture and our shared heritage. This shared heritage and our deep people-to-people connections are among the great strengths of the SCO family.

Friends,

Over the past twenty-five years, the SCO has developed a strong tradition of dialogue and cooperation across the vast expanse of Eurasia. Together, we have made valuable contributions not only to the well-being of our people, but also to the advancement of humanity. Over these twenty-five years, we have laid a strong foundation for cooperation. In the next twenty-five years, our goal should be to translate this cooperation into tangible outcomes.

At a time when the world is passing through uncertainty and instability, we must transform our shared geography into shared opportunities. And through our efforts, we must bring about positive change in the lives of our people.

Friends,

At the previous meeting, I had outlined the three main pillars of India’s vision for the SCO:

S - Security,

C – Connectivity, and

O – Opportunity

The time has come to move these three pillars beyond vision and translate them into concrete outcomes. The first and foremost requirement for this is peace and security. Terrorism continues to pose a serious challenge to humanity as a whole. In the fight against terrorism, we cannot remain confined to an action-reaction approach.

We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens. We must speak with one voice and make it clear that there can be no place for double standards on this serious issue.

We must send a strong message to countries that use terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide safe haven and support to terrorists that terrorism can never be a strategic asset for anyone.

Our shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is also closely linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan. India has been contributing to the development and provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and will continue to do so.

In today’s interconnected world, the scope of security has become even broader. The crisis in West Asia has demonstrated that a conflict in one region does not remain confined to that region. Its impact is felt across the world, affecting energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains. The countries of the Global South bear the greatest brunt of such disruptions. Therefore, India has consistently called for all tensions and conflicts to be resolved not on the battlefield, but through dialogue and diplomacy.

Drug trafficking is not merely a crime; it is a serious threat to our younger generation and regional security. The Centres being established under the SCO to address challenges such as security threats, organised crime, information security, and narcotics are a positive step. We must make these Centres an effective instrument for practical coordination and timely action.

Friends,

The second pillar of our shared development is strong and reliable connectivity. India supports all efforts that connect markets, facilitate trade, and open up new avenues for development. However, it is equally essential that such efforts respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. This is also the fundamental spirit of the SCO Charter.

Going forward, the scope of connectivity will become even broader. Along with roads, railways, and air corridors, we must simplify customs processes, promote digital documentation, and make logistics networks more efficient.

Friends,

The third pillar is — Opportunity.

It means that the benefits of SCO cooperation should reach our people directly. Our greatest strength is the connections between our people. For India, the SCO is a confluence of great civilisations, cultures, and ideas. Over the next twenty-five years of the SCO, people-to-people ties should remain at the heart of our cooperation.

The true measure of our success should be how many new opportunities our efforts create for young people, how many new markets open up for our entrepreneurs, how much our farmers benefit from technology, and how much better the lives of our citizens become.

This is the true meaning of “Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity.”

Our cooperation in the SCO should not be merely government-driven; it should also be people-driven. I am pleased that, under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship, special emphasis has been placed on youth engagement within the SCO. India has taken initiatives such as the SCO Start-up Forum, Young Authors’ Conclave, and Young Scientists’ Forum.

Last year, India proposed the SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum. I am pleased that its first session will be held in India this year. I am confident that with the active participation of all of you, this forum will become a strong platform for vibrant dialogue within the SCO.

Friends,

Kyrgyzstan’s great literary figure, Chingiz Aitmatov, gave the world a beautiful and profound thought. He said that we often focus more on the things that divide us, and less on the things that unite us.

This message is equally relevant for the SCO today. Our diversity is our identity, and our shared purpose is our strength. From Bishkek, we should move forward with this resolve:

From shared geography to shared opportunities,

from vision to outcomes,

and from government-driven cooperation to people-driven partnership.

With the same belief and commitment, India is ready to contribute to the SCO family’s shared journey.

Thank you very much.