An active Opposition is important in a Parliamentary democracy: PM Modi
I am happy that this new house has a high number of women MPs: PM Modi
When we come to Parliament, we should forget Paksh and Vipaksh. We should think about issues with a ‘Nishpaksh spirit’ and work in the larger interest of the nation: PM

Friends,

This is the first session after the elections and the formation of new Lok Sabha. This is an opportunity to introduce new colleagues and when new colleagues join, then new aspirations, new zeal and new dreams too are associated with them. What makes Indian democracy so special? We realize the special features and strength of the Indian democracy during every election. This time in Parliamentary election we have seen the maximum percentage of voting and the maximum number of women representatives since independence. More number of women had voted this time as compared to earlier occasions. This election had been full of several unique features. After several decades, a government has been given the opportunity to serve the public with absolute majority for the second consecutive time and with more number of seats than before.

During the last five years we have seen that, whenever the House was in session and had run in a healthy environment, the decisions for the welfare of the nation had also been very good. On the basis of those experiences I hope and I believe that all the parties will hold discussions, debates and take decisions in public interest and take steps for fulfilling the aspirations of the people in the best possible way. We had started our journey of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'; but the people of the country have added an amazing ‘faith’ or ‘Viswas’ to that ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'. And with that faith we will definitely put our best efforts to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the common man.

The presence of a proactive opposition is a mandatory pre-condition of democracy. I hope that the opposition should now stop worrying about numbers. The public has given certain numbers to them; but for us their every word and feeling is precious. And when we are inside the House, occupying the chair as MPs, the spirit of neutrality becomes all the more important than who is in power and who is in the opposition. And I believe that keeping animosity at bay, we will try to uphold the dignity of the House by working for the public welfare in an unbiased way in the next five years. I am confident that our Houses will be more productive than before, and we will get the opportunity to work with more zeal, speed and better collective thinking for public interest.

 There are several members in the House who make debates lively and place some wonderful thoughts and ideas; but as most of it is constructive, it doesn't match with the TRPs. But sometimes the members will get the opportunity even beyond the TRPs. If the government is criticized in a constructive way, followed by reasons and arguments by a Parliamentarian in the House, it boosts the democracy.

I have a lot of expectations from all of you in strengthening the democracy. We will certainly fulfil those expectations but you all can play a positive role in strengthening this spirit over the next five years. If you play a positive role and spread positive thoughts then everyone would be inclined towards positivity. Therefore, I invite you all to move together towards new zeal, new faith, new resolution and new dreams during the 17th Lok Sabha. Let us leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the common man. With this belief, thank you all!

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Cabinet approves two multitracking projects covering 5 Districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 192 Kms
March 10, 2026
The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 4,474 crore and will be completed up to 2030-31

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved 02 (Two) projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 4,474 crore (approx.). These projects include:

  1. Sainthia – Pakur 4th line

  2. Santragachi – Kharagpur 4th line

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.

The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.

The 02 (Two) projects covering 05 Districts across the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 192 Kms.

The approved multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approx. 5,652 villages, which are having a population of about 147 lakhs.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple (Shaktipeeth), Tarapith (Shaktipeeth), Patachitra Gram, Dhadika Forest, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rameshwar Kund, etc.

The approved projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, foodgrains, POL, container, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 31 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (06 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (28 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 01 (One) Crore trees.