Prime Minister’s Visit to Bihar and West Bengal

On 18th July, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will embark on a significant developmental tour of Bihar and West Bengal, where he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the nation a series of infrastructure and welfare projects collectively worth over Rs 12,000 crore. This visit underscores the government's continued focus on connectivity, economic empowerment, and regional development.

PM in Bihar: Projects Worth Over Rs 7,200 Crore

At approximately 11:30 AM in Motihari, Bihar, the Prime Minister will address a public gathering and unveil numerous developmental initiatives across key sectors such as Railways, Roads, Rural Development, Fisheries, and IT/Electronics.

Rail Infrastructure Boost

In line with his vision for a future-ready railway network, the PM will dedicate and lay the foundation stone for several railway projects, including:

• Automatic Signalling between Samastipur–Bachhwara, which will enhance operational efficiency and safety.

• Doubling of Darbhanga–Thalwara and Samastipur–Rambhadrapur lines (part of the Darbhanga–Samastipur project), worth over Rs 580 crore, to increase rail capacity and reduce delays.

• Darbhanga–Narkatiaganj rail line doubling, a major project worth around Rs 4,080 crore, aimed at strengthening connectivity in North Bihar.

• Infrastructure development at Patliputra for maintenance of Vande Bharat trains.

• Automatic signalling on the Bhatni–Chhapra Gramin line (114 km), along with traction system upgrades, which will allow higher-speed trains and energy-efficient operations.

Road Infrastructure Enhancements

To address the growing need for better road connectivity, the Prime Minister will:

• Lay the foundation stone for the 4-laning of Ara bypass (NH-319), improving access between Ara–Mohania (NH-319) and Patna–Buxar (NH-922), thus reducing travel time.

• Inaugurate the 4-lane Parariya–Mohania section of NH-319 (worth over Rs 820 crore), connecting Ara Town with the Golden Quadrilateral (NH-02) to ease freight and passenger movement.

• Launch a 2-lane road with paved shoulders from Sarwan to Chakai (NH-333C), a key connector between Bihar and Jharkhand.

Digital and Startup Ecosystem

Marking a significant leap toward digital empowerment and startup incubation, the Prime Minister will:

• Inaugurate a New Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility at Darbhanga and a state-of-the-art Incubation Facility at Patna.

  STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) is an autonomous society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology that promotes software exports, innovation, and startup growth.

These facilities will nurture tech entrepreneurship, promote IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) creation, and provide support to IT/ITES/ESDM (Electronics System Design & Manufacturing) industries.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Initiatives

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the PM will inaugurate modern fisheries infrastructure projects including:

• Fish hatcheries, biofloc units (a sustainable fish farming method),

• Ornamental fish farming units, aquaculture systems, and fish feed mills.

These initiatives will enhance fish production, create rural jobs, promote entrepreneurship, and accelerate socio-economic development in Bihar’s agrarian belts.

Rail Connectivity: Launch of Amrit Bharat Trains

In a major rail connectivity boost, the Prime Minister will flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains connecting:

1. Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) – New Delhi

2. Bapudham Motihari – Anand Vihar Terminal (Delhi)

3. Darbhanga – Lucknow (Gomti Nagar)

4. Malda Town – Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur

Amrit Bharat Trains are semi-modern passenger trains aimed at providing faster and comfortable journeys, especially on non-premium routes.

Women Empowerment and Housing

Promoting women-led development under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM):

• The PM will release Rs 400 crore to 61,500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Bihar.

• Notably, over 10 crore women across India are currently associated with SHGs under this mission.

In the housing sector:

• The PM will perform Griha Pravesh (symbolic house-warming) for 12,000 beneficiaries, and

• Release Rs 160 crore to 40,000 beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin, enabling affordable rural housing.

PM in West Bengal: Projects Worth Over Rs 5,000 Crore

Later in the day, around 3 PM, the Prime Minister will reach Durgapur, West Bengal, where he will inaugurate and dedicate a host of development projects spanning Oil & Gas, Power, Roads, and Railways.

Oil and Gas Sector Developments

In a major infrastructure push:

• The PM will lay the foundation stone for BPCL’s City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia, worth Rs 1,950 crore, aimed at supplying PNG (Piped Natural Gas) to households and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) to vehicles and industries.

CGD projects enhance clean energy accessibility, reduce carbon emissions, and generate local employment.

• He will also dedicate the Durgapur–Kolkata section (132 km) of the Durgapur–Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG), worth Rs 1,190 crore. The project will enable gas supply to lakhs of homes and industries in Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Nadia.

Clean Energy and Environment

Staying aligned with the commitment to clean air and health, the PM will inaugurate:

• Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems at Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, worth Rs 1,457 crore.

FGD is a pollution control technology that reduces sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from thermal power plants, contributing to air quality improvement and public health.

Rail Connectivity Improvements

To improve freight and passenger movement:

• The PM will dedicate the doubling of the Purulia–Kotshila Rail Line (36 km), worth Rs 390 crore, which strengthens connectivity between Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Kolkata.

Road Infrastructure Enhancements

Further enhancing road safety and connectivity, the Prime Minister will:

• Inaugurate two Road Over Bridges (ROBs) at Topsi and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman, built under the Setu Bharatam Programme, with an investment of over Rs 380 crore.

Setu Bharatam aims to make all national highways free of railway crossings by building ROBs/underpasses, reducing congestion and accidents.

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