PM Modi to Unveil ₹830-Crore Development Push in Hooghly on Day Two of Bengal Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally in Hooghly on Sunday, marking the second day of his two-day tour of West Bengal.

During the Singur programme, the Prime Minister will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone for, and flag off multiple development projects worth over Rs 830 crore, spanning railways, ports, inland waterways, and urban transport.

A key highlight will be the foundation stone laying of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh. The project includes the development of an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a Road Over Bridge. Spread across roughly 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo-handling terminal with an envisaged capacity of 2.7 million tonnes per year.

The terminal will feature two dedicated jetties, one for containerised cargo and another for dry bulk cargo. It aims to improve cargo evacuation efficiency, diverting heavy traffic away from congested urban corridors.

Officials said the project is expected to enhance road safety, reduce traffic congestion and pollution in Kolkata, and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

The project will also strengthen multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency, providing cost-effective market access to regional industries, MSMEs and agricultural producers.

Substantial direct and indirect employment generation is expected in logistics, terminal operations, transport services and allied sectors, benefiting local communities.

The Prime Minister will also launch a state-of-the-art Electric Catamaran in Kolkata.

The vessel is one of six indigenously built electric catamarans for inland water transport by Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

The 50-passenger hybrid electric aluminium catamaran is equipped with advanced electric propulsion systems and lithium-titanate battery technology.

It can operate in fully electric, zero-emission mode as well as in hybrid mode for longer endurance, and is expected to support urban river mobility, eco-tourism and last-mile passenger connectivity along the Hooghly River.

In the rail sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Jayrambati–Barogopinathpur–Maynapur new rail line, a key segment of the Tarkeshwar–Bishnupur rail line project.

A new train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati, with a halt at Barogopinathpur, will also be flagged off.

The line is expected to improve rail connectivity in Bankura district, making travel more affordable and convenient for daily commuters, students and pilgrims.

Three Amrit Bharat Express trains will also be flagged off; Kolkata (Howrah)–Anand Vihar Terminal, Kolkata (Sealdah)–Banaras, and Kolkata (Santragachi)–Tambaram, thus strengthening long-distance rail connectivity from the state.

On Saturday, the Prime Minister addressed a rally in Malda, where he announced development projects worth Rs 3,250 crore.

During the Malda programme, he also flagged off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express connecting Howrah and Kamakhya, marking a significant addition to long-distance premium rail services in the eastern region.