PM Modi unveils key development projects in West Bengal across energy, road and rail sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone to new projects in West Bengal and promised clean air and health security. Pic/X

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a multitude of development projects encompassing the oil and gas, power, road, and rail sectors in Durgapur, West Bengal, reported news agency ANI.

In a significant boost to the region's oil and gas infrastructure, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL)'s City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in the Bankura and Purulia districts of the state, valued at approximately Rs 1,950 crore. This initiative will provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to households, commercial establishments, and industrial customers, supply Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at retail outlets, and simultaneously create employment opportunities in the area.

In Photos: Iran says its military will decide `timing, nature and scale` of its response to US attacks

5 months agoPHOTO GALLERY

Furthermore, PM Modi also dedicated to the nation the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 km) of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline. This section forms part of the ambitious Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project, reported ANI.

The Durgapur to Kolkata section, worth over Rs 1,190 crore, traverses through the districts of Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Nadia in West Bengal. The pipeline generated direct and indirect employment during its construction phase and will now facilitate the supply of natural gas to millions of households in the region.

In line with his commitment to clean air and health security for all, the Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the Retrofitting Pollution Control System - Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) - at the Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station of Damodar Valley Corporation, an investment exceeding Rs 1,457 crore.

Meanwhile, this project will benefit the region by supporting cleaner energy production and generating further employment opportunities.

Moreover, significantly enhancing the rail infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the doubling of the Purulia - Kotshila Rail Line (36 km) in Purulia, valued at over Rs 390 crore. Additionally, this development will improve rail connectivity between industrial hubs such as Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad with Ranchi and Kolkata, enabling more efficient movement of goods trains, reducing travel time, and improving logistics for various industries and businesses, reported ANI.

The Prime Minister additionally inaugurated two road over bridges (ROBs) constructed under the Setu Bharatam Programme, costing over Rs 380 crore, at Topsi and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman. These bridges will enhance connectivity and play a crucial role in preventing accidents at railway level crossings.

(With inputs from ANI)