PM Modi to launch multiple infra projects in West Bengal's Singur

Published : Jan 18, 2026, 10:00 AM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File Photo/ANI)

Synopsis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Singur, West Bengal, on Sunday to launch and lay the foundation for multiple infrastructure projects worth Rs 830 crore, including a new port system, an electric catamaran, and new rail lines for the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects in Singur, West Bengal, on Sunday, highlighting the Centre's focus on accelerating development in the state. The initiatives include the foundation-laying of an extended port gate system at Balagarh with an Inland Water Transport terminal and road overbridge, the launch of an electric catamaran in Kolkata, the inauguration of a new rail line between Jayrambati and Maynapur and the flagging off of Amrit Bharat trains.

PM Modi on State's Growth

Our Government is committed to adding momentum to West Bengal’s growth journey. In Singur today, important development works will be launched or their foundation stones laid. The works include: Laying the Foundation Stone of Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 18, 2026 In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Our Government is committed to adding momentum to West Bengal's growth journey. In Singur today, important development works will be launched or their foundation stones laid. The works include: Laying the Foundation Stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal and Road Overbridge. Launching of the Electric Catamaran at Kolkata. Inauguration of the new rail line between Jayrambati and Maynapur. Flagging off of trains, including Amrit Bharat trains."

Projects Worth Rs 830 Crore

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), at around 3 PM, PM Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects worth around Rs 830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district.

Balagarh Port Gate System

PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a Road Over Bridge Spanning approximately 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo handling terminal with an envisaged capacity of about 2.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The project includes the construction of two dedicated cargo-handling jetties: one for containerised cargo and one for dry bulk cargo.

The Balagarh project aims to significantly improve cargo evacuation efficiency by diverting heavy cargo movement away from congested urban corridors. This will enhance road safety, reduce vehicular congestion and pollution in Kolkata city, and contribute to an improved quality of life for residents.

Improved multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency will also provide cost-effective market access to regional industries, MSMEs, and agricultural producers. The project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment, benefiting local communities through job creation in logistics, terminal operations, transport services, maintenance, and allied activities.

Electric Catamaran Launch

PM Modi will also launch a state-of-the-art Electric Catamaran in Kolkata. This is one of the 6 Electric Catamarans indigenously built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. for inland water transport. The 50-passenger hybrid-electric aluminium catamaran, equipped with advanced electric propulsion systems and lithium-titanate battery technology, can operate in fully electric, zero-emission mode as well as in hybrid mode for extended endurance. The vessel will support urban river mobility, eco-tourism and last-mile passenger connectivity along the Hooghly River.

New Rail Lines and Train Services

The release stated that PM Modi will also inaugurate the new rail line between Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur. This line is an important part of the Tarkeshwar-Bishnupur new rail line project. Along with the new rail line, a new train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati, with a halt at Barogopinathpur, will also be flagged off. It will provide direct rail connectivity to the residents of Bankura district, making travel more affordable and convenient for daily commuters, students and pilgrims.

PM Modi will flag off three Amrit Bharat Express trains: Kolkata (Howrah) - Anand Vihar Terminal; Kolkata (Sealdah) - Banaras; Kolkata (Santragachi) - Tambaram. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

PREV

Stay updated with the Breaking News Today and Latest News from across India and around the world. Get real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and comprehensive coverage of India News, World News, Indian Defence News, Kerala News, and Karnataka News. From politics to current affairs, follow every major story as it unfolds. Get real-time updates from IMD on major cities weather forecasts, including Rain alerts, Cyclone warnings, and temperature trends. Download the Asianet News Official App from the Android Play Store and iPhone App Store for accurate and timely news updates anytime, anywhere.

Recommended Stories

Rajnath Singh to inaugurate Solar Industries' ammunition facility in Nagpur
Naidu pays tribute to NTR on 30th death anniversary, calls him 'epochal'