Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Kolkata on Saturday, March 14, where he will launch and lay the foundation stone for several infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹18,680 crore. The visit comes at a time when political activity in West Bengal is intensifying ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
According to an official statement, a major portion of the investment will be directed toward strengthening road infrastructure in the region. Multiple National Highway projects covering more than 420 kilometres will be inaugurated or initiated, with a combined investment of nearly ₹16,990 crore.
NH-116A and other corridor projects
Among the major projects scheduled for inauguration are upgraded sections of NH-19 spanning West Bengal and Jharkhand, along with parts of NH-114 within West Bengal. Authorities say these improvements will enhance road safety, reduce congestion, shorten travel time and improve connectivity between important economic zones.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for several new highway developments, including five packages of the 231-kilometre four-lane Kharagpur–Moregram economic corridor section on NH-116A. The corridor forms part of a larger transport route linking Kharagpur and Siliguri and will pass through Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts.
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Officials estimate that once the corridor is completed, the direct route between Kharagpur and Moregram will reduce travel distance by around 120 kilometres and cut travel time by nearly seven to eight hours.
Other important projects include the construction of a 5.6-kilometre four-lane bypass at Dubrajpur on NH-14. The bypass is expected to reduce congestion in the busy town area and shorten travel time by roughly one hour.
The Prime Minister will also initiate the construction of new four-lane bridges across the Kangshabati and Shilabati rivers along the same highway.
6 Rail and port sector initiatives
The visit will also see the launch of key railway and port infrastructure projects. In the railway sector, PM Modi will flag off the Purulia–Anand Vihar Terminal Express, a train service expected to improve connectivity between West Bengal and several northern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi.
Six redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme will also be inaugurated during the visit.
In addition, the Prime Minister will dedicate two railway infrastructure upgrades to the nation. These include a 16-kilometre third rail line between Belda and Dantan and the Automatic Block Signalling system between Kalaikunda and Kanimohuli, which officials say will improve train safety and reduce congestion on busy routes.
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In the port sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a mechanisation project at Berth No. 2 of the Haldia Dock Complex aimed at improving cargo handling efficiency and environmental performance. A rejuvenation project at the Khidderpore Docks will also be launched.
Apart from development initiatives, PM Modi will address a rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kolkata. Supporters from several districts have begun arriving in the city for the event, which is being viewed as the start of the BJP’s campaign ahead of the state Assembly elections.
