West Bengal Sees Over Rs5400 Crore Development Works Inaugurated In Durgapur
In West Bengal, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated development projects worth over ₹5,400 crore in Durgapur on Friday. The Prime Minister acknowledged Durgapur’s significant contribution as a Steel City and major labor hub to India’s development. He emphasized that these projects will enhance regional connectivity, boost the gas-based economy and transport, and reinforce Durgapur’s identity, aligning with the “Make in India, Make for the World” vision to propel the state forward and create numerous employment opportunities.
India, the global discourse now centers on the nation’s resolve to become developed, underpinned by transformative changes in infrastructure—social, physical, and digital. Key achievements include pucca houses, toilets, tap water connections, new roads, highways, railway lines, airports in small towns, and widespread internet access, benefiting every state, including West Bengal. The state has seen unprecedented progress in train connectivity, operating a large number of Vande Bharat trains and expanding the Kolkata Metro. Two new railway overbridges have also been inaugurated in West Bengal, at Topsi and Pandabeshwar, under the Setu Bharatam Programme, worth over ₹380 crore, enhancing connectivity and preventing accidents.
West Bengal’s oil and gas infrastructure received a major boost with the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts, valued around ₹1,950 crore, set to provide PNG and CNG connections. Additionally, the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 Km) of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project, was dedicated. Valued over ₹1,190 crore, this pipeline will deliver affordable piped gas to industries and nearly 30 lakh households, creating employment.
The power and rail sectors also saw significant upgrades. Retrofitting Pollution Control Systems (Flue Gas Desulphurization) for Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station of Damodar Valley Corporation, worth over ₹1,457 crore, were dedicated for cleaner energy production. Furthermore, the doubling of the Purulia – Kotshila Rail Line (36 KM), valued over ₹390 crore, was dedicated, enhancing rail connectivity for industries between Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Kolkata, facilitating efficient goods movement and reducing travel time. The region’s airport has been integrated with the UDAN scheme, serving over 5 lakh passengers in the past year alone.
Across West Bengal, these diverse development projects underscore the commitment to making the state a strong engine of India’s development by 2047. The focus on enhancing connectivity, clean energy, and employment opportunities promises a transformative impact on the region’s economy and quality of life for its citizens.
