Siliguri, Mar 9 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of various projects related to rail, roads, and electrification in the Rural Northern districts worth over Rs 4,500 crores under the Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal programme.
Presently, Rs 50,000 crore central projects have been undertaken in the region, a government official informed the Prime Minister.
Modi flagged off the new passenger train service between Siliguri and Radhikapur.
The projects, unveiled by the Prime Minister, among others are the electrification of rail lines benefiting north Bengal and nearby regions, such as the Eklakhi - Balurghat section, Barsoi - Radhikapur section, and others. These would help the preservation of the ecology as well as give economic activities.
Rail connectivity was also introduced with Bangladesh from North Bengal, he added..
"The development projects were ignored immediately after the nation got independence but the pace has accelerated in the past 10 years," Modi said.
While addressing a gathering at the Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal programme, he said: "North Bengal is the gateway to the northeast. From here, trade routes to neighbouring countries also run through. So in these 10 years, Bengal and especially north Bengal's development has been the priority of our government."
The railway projects included doubling of the railway line in the Manigram - Nimtita section and automatic block signalling in Ambari Falakata - Aluabari.
He also flagged off a new passenger train service between Siliguri and Radhikapur, and two National Highway projects worth Rs. 3,100 crores, including the Ghoshpukur - Dhupguri section and the Islampur Bypass on NH 27.
The Ghoshpukur - Dhupguri section is part of the North-South transport corridor, enhancing connectivity between eastern India and the rest of the country.
The Islampur Bypass will alleviate traffic congestion in Islampur town and promote industrial and economic growth in the region.
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