Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled development projects worth Rs 15,000 crore in Bengal on Saturday.
The PM laid the foundation stone of Damodar Valley Corporation’s Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station Phase II (2x660 mw), located in the Purulia district. He also inaugurated the flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) system at Mejia Thermal Power Station, developed at Rs 650 crore.
The foundation of the second phase of Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station is a step in that direction. This initiative will bring investments worth over Rs 11,000 crore in the state, Modi stated.
“Electricity is an important factor that drives the development of every sector of the economy. We are trying to make Bengal self-reliant for its present and future energy needs,” Modi said. From a programme in Krishnanagar, he also inaugurated the four-laning of the 100-km-long Farakka-Raiganj section of NH-12, built at Rs 1,986 crore.
He said that Bengal acts as the “eastern gate” of India. “We are taking yet another step towards a developed Bengal. Yesterday, I laid the foundation of and inaugurated projects worth Rs 7,000 crore. The initiatives included development projects related to railways, ports and petroleum, among others. Today, again, I am laying the foundation of and inaugurating projects worth Rs 15,000 crore,” Modi said.
“These projects will provide momentum to West Bengal’s economic growth and create job opportunities,” he added. Modi also inaugurated the four-laning of the 100-km-long Farakka-Raiganj section of NH-12, built at Rs 1,986 crore.
“Our government is developing infrastructure for connectivity via roadways, Railways, waterways, and airways in the region,” he said.
PM Modi also dedicated to the nation four rail projects worth more than Rs 940 crore in the state. The PM said that West Bengal once occupied a place of pride when it came to Railways. But this legacy was not carried forward, and the state lagged, he said.