Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth more than ₹5,200 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal, underscoring the city’s importance in India’s economic growth story.
Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister said Kolkata embodies both India’s rich heritage and future aspirations. “As India moves towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, cities like Dum Dum and Kolkata will play a pivotal role in this journey,” he remarked.
PM Modi inaugurated multiple sections of the Kolkata Metro, including 13.61 km of new lines and a newly built subway at Howrah Metro Station. The new services include the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar line, Sealdah–Esplanade line, and the Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section. Sharing his metro journey from Noapara to Jai Hind Airport, the Prime Minister highlighted that passengers expressed delight at the modernisation of public transport. Travel times have been drastically reduced—for example, Sealdah to Esplanade now takes just 11 minutes instead of 40. The new metro corridors also enhance connectivity with Kolkata Airport and the IT hub.
Additionally, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the six-lane elevated Kona Expressway, a ₹1,200 crore project stretching 7.2 km. Once completed, it will boost port connectivity, ease travel, and stimulate trade, commerce, and tourism in the region.
Highlighting the government’s vision for modern infrastructure, PM Modi stated: “21st-century India requires a 21st-century transport system. Across the country, modern facilities—railways, roads, metros, airports—are being built and interconnected for seamless mobility.”
The Prime Minister noted that India’s metro network has expanded from just 250 km before 2014 to over 1,000 km today, making it the third-largest in the world. Kolkata itself has seen rapid development, with nearly 14 km of new lines and seven new stations added recently.
Also Read: PM Modi Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stones for ₹12,000 Crore Development Projects in Gaya, Bihar
On railway modernisation, he announced that West Bengal has achieved 100% electrification and launched a long-awaited MEMU train between Purulia and Howrah. He also confirmed the operation of nine Vande Bharat trains and two Amrit Bharat trains in the state.
Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to West Bengal, PM Modi emphasised that the ongoing infrastructure push is laying a strong foundation for Kolkata’s and the state’s prosperity.
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