KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple Indian Railway projects in Kolkata on Friday. PM Modi joined the event at Howrah Railway Station via video conference just a short while after he completed the final rites for his mother Heeraben, who died away early this morning.
PM Modi apologised for not being able to attend the event in person and said, "Due to personal considerations, I am unable to visit West Bengal as I had planned. I humbly beg for your pardon, Bengalis." The Prime Minister said that the Central government is investing in modernising Indian Railways while speaking at the event marking the inauguration of railroad projects. He said, the new metro routes will further increase the convenience of living for West Bengal residents.
"I give respect to Bengal, the sacred region where India's quest for independence began. We began at Vande Mataram and have now arrived to Vande Bharat "explained he. He added that India's railways will embark on a new modernization adventure over the course of the next eight years.
"To modernise Indian Railways, the central government is investing historic amounts of money. Indian manufacturers are now producing state-of-art trains like the Vande Bharat Express, Tejas Express, and Humsafar Express. The railroads will embark on a new modernization adventure over the course of the next eight years, "PM Modi said.
PM Modi signalled the start of the Kolkata Metro's purple line as well as the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express. The Howrah-New Jalpaiguri train track, he siad, will improve connectivity in the North-East region.
The PM said that 475 Vande Bharat trains are the goal for the new India. The Prime Minister emphasised the significance of December 30 in history while recalling Bengal's role to the liberation cause. The Indian flag was raised in the Andaman Islands by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on December 30, 1943, he said.
A modern infrastructure costing more than Rs 600 crore is being prepared for the Adi Ganga river's purification. "The Government is attempting to keep the riverbeds clean and prevent contamination by contemporary sewage treatment plants."
Be it security, swacchata, or ease of living, the Indian Railways is giving New India a new identity via the work of Sabka Prayas, he said. He added that India is producing the most potent electric locomotives in the world at a quick rate.
"The Indian Railways have developed a recognised international brand. The logistics industries would gain from the recently launched projects. India's advanced electric engines are becoming more widespread, "PM said. He declared that the government is committed to enhancing infrastructure coordination and synergy across the various modes of transportation.
"India's progress was significantly hampered by transportation and infrastructure issues. To address these issues, the PM GatiShakti master plan was implemented. Highways, airports, and multimodal connectivity are all receiving a boost from it, ensuring seamless connectivity "PM emphasised that Bengalis have a great affection for India and adhere to the nation-first philosophy and they follow the mantra of Nation First even when it comes to tourism.
In West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat Express and laid the foundationstone for other projects totaling more than Rs 7800 crore. At the occasion in Howrah were leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and others.
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