Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam and West Bengal, during which he launched and laid the foundation for a series of major rail and infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and accelerating regional development in eastern and northeastern India.
A key highlight of the visit was the launch of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, flagged off from Malda in West Bengal. The long-distance, fully air-conditioned sleeper service will run between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya), offering faster travel and modern amenities for passengers on one of the busiest routes linking eastern India with the Northeast. The train is expected to significantly cut travel time while improving comfort for overnight journeys.
The Prime Minister also flagged off four Amrit Bharat Express trains that will connect North Bengal with major cities across the country. These services link New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar with destinations such as Bengaluru, Mumbai (Panvel), Tiruchirappalli and Nagercoil, strengthening long-distance rail connectivity for workers, students and business travellers.
In addition, two long-haul express trains equipped with modern LHB coaches, the Radhikapur–SMVT Bengaluru Express and the Balurghat–SMVT Bengaluru Express, were inaugurated to enhance safety and passenger comfort.
Beyond train services, Modi laid the foundation stones and dedicated several rail and road infrastructure projects in North Bengal, with investments running into thousands of crores. These include a new Balurghat–Hili rail line, expansion of the Siliguri loco shed, and upgraded freight and maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri to support Vande Bharat operations. Key railway sections between New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat were also electrified, enabling cleaner and more efficient train movement.
On the road sector front, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for the four-laning and strengthening of the Dhupguri–Falakata stretch of National Highway-31D, a crucial corridor for trade and passenger traffic in North Bengal.
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