PM Modi to Visit Bengal and Assam, Launch Key Highway, Airport and Fertiliser Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a high-profile, two-day visit to West Bengal and Assam starting December 20, a government release Friday said.

The visit underscores a massive push for regional connectivity and industrial revival, featuring the inauguration of a state-of-the-art airport terminal and a mega fertilizer project worth over Rs 10,600 crore.

The Prime Minister’s itinerary begins Saturday morning in the Ranaghat region of West Bengal’s Nadia district. At approximately 11:15 am, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for National Highway projects totaling Rs 3,200 crore.

A key highlight is the inauguration of the 66.7 km 4-laned section of NH-34 between Barajaguli and Krishnanagar. This stretch is a critical artery connecting the state capital, Kolkata, to North Bengal’s gateway, Siliguri. By slashing travel time by nearly two hours, the project is expected to lower vehicle operating costs, enhance trade links with neighboring countries and provide a significant boost to regional tourism.

Additionally, the PM will lay the foundation for the 17.6 km Barasat-Barajaguli section, further streamlining traffic flow in the North 24 Parganas district.

On Saturday afternoon, the focus shifts to Guwahati, Assam. Prime Minister Modi will unveil the New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport (LGBIA).

Spanning 1.4 lakh square meters, the terminal is a feat of engineering and cultural storytelling. Dubbed India’s first "nature-themed" airport, the design incorporates:

"Bamboo Orchids" Theme: Using 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo.

The "Sky Forest": An immersive arrival experience featuring nearly 100,000 indigenous plants.

Modern Tech: Integration of DigiYatra for contactless travel, full-body scanners, and AI-driven operations to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually.

The second day of the visit, December 21, blends emotional tribute with industrial progress. The Prime Minister will start his day at the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Boragaon, Guwahati, to pay homage to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement.

The visit will culminate in Namrup, Dibrugarh, where PM Modi will perform the Bhoomi Pujan for a new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project.

With a staggering investment of Rs 10,600 crore, this project at the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) premises is a cornerstone of the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative. It aims to:

End fertilizer shortages for farmers in Assam and the Northeast.

Reduce India’s dependence on costly imports.

Generate massive local employment and revitalize the regional industrial landscape.

This two-state tour reflects the union Government’s "Act East" policy in action, merging infrastructure development with cultural pride and food security.