PM Modi to inaugurate key infrastructure and industrial projects in West Bengal and Assam

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to West Bengal and Assam on 20-21 December, inaugurating major infrastructure and industrial projects aimed at enhancing connectivity, fostering economic growth, and accelerating regional development.

Today PM Modi will visit Ranaghat in Nadia district to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth around Rs. 3,200 crore. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 66.7 km four-laning of Barajaguli–Krishnanagar section of NH-34 and lay the foundation stone for the 17.6 km Barasat–Barajaguli section of NH-34 in North 24 Parganas district.

These projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time between Kolkata and Siliguri by approximately two hours, facilitate smoother traffic flow, reduce vehicle operating costs, and improve connectivity with neighboring districts and countries. Officials say the highways will also boost tourism and contribute to the region’s economic growth.

Later on PM Modi will arrive in Guwahati at around 3 PM to inaugurate the New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, a key milestone in Assam’s connectivity and global engagement. Spanning nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the terminal is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually.

The terminal’s design, themed “Bamboo Orchids”, celebrates Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. It incorporates locally sourced bamboo, Kaziranga-inspired landscapes, japi motifs, rhino symbols, orchid-inspired columns, and a “Sky Forest” featuring nearly one lakh indigenous plants. Advanced digital features, including full-body scanners, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling, fast-track immigration, and AI-driven airport operations, ensure a seamless and secure passenger experience.

On 21 December, the Prime Minister will pay homage to martyrs at Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Boragaon, honoring the historic Assam Movement. He will then perform the Bhoomipujan for a new Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project at Namrup, Dibrugarh, being developed by Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited. With an estimated investment of over Rs. 10,600 crore, the project will meet fertilizer requirements of Assam and neighboring states, reduce import dependence, generate employment, and spur regional industrial growth.

These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on infrastructure development, farmer welfare, regional connectivity, and industrial expansion, aiming to create long-term socio-economic benefits for both states.