**Executive Summary**
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth Rs. 18,700 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal. These initiatives aim to boost connectivity, improve quality of life, and modernize infrastructure across roads, railways, and ports. Key projects include railway modernization and port mechanization, with a focus on enhancing trade and economic activities in Eastern India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Infrastructure Development Investment:**
* Foundation stones and dedications of projects worth over Rs. 18,000 crore for roads, railways, and port infrastructure have been undertaken.
* These projects are intended to provide new momentum to West Bengal and Eastern India, boost trade and industry, and create new opportunities.
* **Railway Modernization:**
* A nationwide campaign is underway to modernize Indian Railways, with a commitment to ensure West Bengal is not left behind.
* The central government is rapidly expanding railway infrastructure in West Bengal.
* The Automatic Block Signalling System on the Kalaikunda-Kanimahuli section has been dedicated to the nation to enhance capacity, safety, and passenger convenience on busy rail routes.
* Six stations (Kamakhyaguri, Anara, Tamluk, Haldia, Barabhum, and Siuri) have been inaugurated as Amrit Bharat Stations.
* A new express train service has been flagged off between Purulia and Anand Vihar Terminal, benefiting passengers in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
* **Port and Waterway Development:**
* Ports and water transport are recognized as crucial for economic progress.
* Key port infrastructure projects have been initiated to address neglected potential in Eastern India.
* The Haldia Dock Complex is undergoing mechanization to speed up cargo operations, increase capacity, and provide new trade facilities.
* Renovation of the Bascule Bridge in the Kolkata Dock System and augmentation of cargo handling capacity at Kidderpore Dock are also being undertaken to strengthen the logistics system in Eastern India.
* **Regional Connectivity and Economic Impact:**
* Projects like the Kharagpur-Moregram Expressway, Dubrajpur Bypass, and bridges over the Kangsabati and Shilabati rivers are expected to improve connectivity and accelerate economic activities.
* These new projects are designed to pave the way for a modern future for West Bengal and will benefit farmers, traders, entrepreneurs, students, and all sections of society.
* New opportunities are anticipated in tourism, and local industries and services are expected to gain momentum.
**Impact Analysis**
* **People of West Bengal and Eastern India**
* **Impact:** Improved connectivity, enhanced quality of life, new economic opportunities, easier journeys, and increased trade and industrial activity.
* **Action Required:** Benefit from the new infrastructure and opportunities.
* **Farmers, Traders, Entrepreneurs, and Students**
* **Impact:** Access to new opportunities, improved logistics for trade, and enhanced services.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the new infrastructure and services for personal and professional growth.
* **Logistics and Transport Sector**
* **Impact:** Strengthened logistics system, faster cargo operations, increased port capacity, and improved efficiency of rail routes.
* **Action Required:** Adapt to and utilize the modernized infrastructure for enhanced operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Kolkata: Location where development works were inaugurated.
West Bengal: State where the development works are focused.
Haldia Dock Complex: Key port facility undergoing mechanization.
Kharagpur-Moregram Expressway: Specific road project mentioned.
Automatic Block Signalling System on the Kalaikunda-Kanimahuli section: Specific railway infrastructure project dedicated.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays
foundation stone, inaugurates various
development works worth Rs.18,700 crore in
Kolkata, West Bengal
These initiatives will boost connectivity and improve the
quality of life for people: PM
Today, a vigorous campaign is underway across the country
to modernize the railways, It is our resolve that West Bengal
should not be left behind in this campaign, That is why the
central government is also rapidly expanding the railway
infrastructure in West Bengal : PM
Ports like Kolkata and Haldia have long been major centers of
trade in Eastern India; the Haldia Dock Complex is
undergoing mechanization, This will speed up cargo
operations, increase the port’s capacity, and provide new
facilities for trade: PM
Posted On: 14 MAR 2026 3:48PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated various development works
worth more than Rs.18,000 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal, today. Addressing the gathering the Prime
Minister remarked, "Today, from the land of Kolkata, a new chapter of development is being written for
West Bengal and Eastern India."
The Prime Minister highlighted that the foundation stones and dedications of projects worth more than ₹18,000 crore related to roads,
railways, and port infrastructure have been carried out at this event. He emphasized that these projects will give new momentum to West
Bengal and Eastern India, boost trade and industry, and make life easier for lakhs of people by providing them new opportunities. Referring to
some of the key projects, the Prime Minister noted that the completion of the Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway will accelerate economic
activities across many parts of West Bengal. He also mentioned the Dubrajpur Bypass and the major bridges being constructed over the
Kangsabati and Shilabati rivers, which will further improve connectivity. "I congratulate the people of West Bengal and the entire Eastern
India for these transformative projects," remarked Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister stated that a vigorous campaign is underway across the country to modernize the Indian Railways, and it is the firm
resolve of the government that West Bengal does not lag behind in this mission. He pointed out that the Central Government is rapidly
expanding the railway infrastructure in West Bengal. On this occasion, the Automatic Block Signalling System on the Kalaikunda–
Kanimahuli section has been dedicated to the nation. "These initiatives will enhance the capacity of busy rail routes, make journeys safer, and
also increase speed and convenience for passengers", asserted Shri Modi.The Prime Minister announced the inauguration of six stations, Kamakhyaguri, Anara, Tamluk, Haldia, Barabhum, and Siuri,as Amrit Bharat
Stations. He noted that the great culture of Bengal is now shining even more brightly at these stations, and several more stations are
undergoing redevelopment. A new express train service between Purulia and Anand Vihar Terminal has also been flagged off. "This train
service will benefit not only the people of West Bengal but also those in Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi" , affirmed Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister emphasized that ports and water transport play an equally important role as road and rail connectivity in driving economic
progress. He observed that for decades, this immense potential of Eastern India was largely neglected, but today, waterways are opening new
avenues for trade and industrial advancement. In this direction, foundation stones and dedications of key port infrastructure projects have
been carried out. The Prime Minister highlighted that Kolkata and Haldia ports have long been major centres of trade in Eastern India, and the
mechanization of the Haldia Dock Complex will accelerate cargo operations, enhance port capacity, and provide new facilities for trade.
Additionally, the renovation of the Bascule Bridge in the Kolkata Dock System and the augmentation of cargo handling capacity at
Kidderpore Dock are also being undertaken. "All these projects will further strengthen the logistics system of Eastern India", asserted Shri
Modi.
In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister underscored that the new projects related to roads, railways, and ports are paving the way for a
modern future for West Bengal. He noted that the benefits of these projects will reach farmers, traders, entrepreneurs, students, and every
section of society. New opportunities will emerge in sectors like tourism, and local industries and services will gain fresh momentum. The
Prime Minister recalled Bengal's historic role in showing the way to India and expressed his conviction that strong connectivity and modern
infrastructure will form the foundation of a developed Bengal. "It is our resolve that Bengal, which has always shown the way to India, should
once again achieve that glory by becoming a 'Viksit Bengal' ", emphasized Shri Modi.
Speaking at the launch of development works in Kolkata. These initiatives will
boost connectivity and improve the quality of life for people.
https://t.co/yMphItf5By
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2026
आज दश म रल व े को आधुनक बनाने का तेज अभयान चल रहा ह।
हमारा ये संकल्प ह क पम बंगाल इस अभयान म पीछ न रह।
इसीलए, क द्र सरकार, पम बंगाल के रल वे इंास्ट्रक्चर का भी तेजी स े वार कर रही ह: PM @n
arendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 14, 2026
कोलकाता और हया जैस े बंदरगाह लंबे समय से पूव भारत म ापार के प्रमुख क द्र रह ह।
हया डॉक कॉम्ेक्स का मशीनीकरण हो रहा ह।
इससे काग ऑपरश न और तेज होगा, बंदरगाह क क्षमता बढ़गी और ापार के लए नई सुवधा मलेगी:
PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 14, 2026
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