PM launches development projects worth over 830 crore at Singur
New Delhi, Jan 19, 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a series of development projects worth over 830 crore rupees at Singur in the Hooghly district of West Bengal yesterday evening. Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister said the development of eastern India is central to the vision of a developed India, and asserted that the Union government is consistently working towards this goal. Referring to his visit to Malda and Hooghly, he said projects worth hundreds of crores were being implemented across West Bengal to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity.
Highlighting major rail initiatives, Mr Modi said the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched from West Bengal on Saturday, while the state has already received nearly half a dozen Amrit Bharat Express services. Yesterday, Mr Modi flagged off three more Amrit Bharat Express trains, connecting Kolkata with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, Banaras and Tambaram in Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister also emphasised the Centre’s push for port-led and waterway-based development in Bengal. He said projects related to ports and inland waterways would help transform the state into a hub for manufacturing, trade and logistics, while generating employment.
Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, a project that includes an inland water transport terminal and a road overbridge. Spanning about 900 acres, the facility is envisaged as a modern cargo handling terminal with a capacity of 2.7 million tonnes per annum. Mr Modi said the project would reduce congestion in Kolkata by diverting heavy cargo traffic, improve logistics efficiency and open new economic opportunities for Hooghly and neighbouring areas.
Mr Modi also launched a state-of-the-art electric catamaran in Kolkata to promote eco-friendly urban river transport and tourism along the Hooghly. The Prime Minister said the initiatives would benefit farmers, fishermen, small traders and transporters, and generate large-scale employment.