Kolkata, August 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of infrastructure projects in Kolkata, including the extension of the Metro Rail network and the six-lane elevated Kona Expressway.
The Prime Minister, who traveled on the Metro from Noapara to Jai Hind Biman Bandar and interacted with commuters, said Kolkata’s public transport is witnessing a new era of modernization. “Everyone is happy that Kolkata’s public transport is really becoming modern now,” he remarked, congratulating the people of West Bengal for projects worth thousands of crores.
Calling Kolkata a city that symbolizes both India’s history and its future, Modi said, “Today, when India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy of the world, the role of cities like Dum Dum and Kolkata is very big.”
He underscored India’s rapid progress in metro infrastructure, noting that the country now has the world’s third-largest metro network. “Before 2014, the metro route in the country was only 250 kilometers. Today, it has become more than a thousand kilometers long,” he said, adding that Kolkata itself is getting 14 kilometers of new metro lines and seven new stations.
Seamless Travel and Multimodal Connectivity
Highlighting the need for integrated transport systems, Modi said, “21st century India also needs a 21st century transport system. That is why today we are developing modern transport facilities in the country, from rail to road, from metro to airport, and are also connecting them with each other.”
He said connecting Howrah and Sealdah railway stations with the metro will drastically reduce travel time, while the Howrah Station subway and the metro link to Kolkata Airport will boost passenger convenience.
Railways and Road Projects
The Prime Minister also emphasized railway electrification, stating West Bengal is among the states with 100% electrification. He announced the launch of a MEMU train between Purulia and Howrah to meet long-standing public demand. The state currently runs nine Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains.
On highways, Modi said the central government has pushed connectivity projects in West Bengal over the past decade. “When the six-lane Kona Expressway is completed, it will also improve the connectivity of the port. This connectivity will strengthen the foundation for a better future for Kolkata and West Bengal,” he added.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said he would engage with the public further in the evening to discuss the state’s development roadmap.
