The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than ₹3,250 crore at Malda in West Bengal on 17 January 2026, marking a significant step towards strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in West Bengal and the North Eastern region.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that from Malda, the campaign to fast track West Bengal’s progress had gained renewed momentum. He noted that the newly inaugurated rail services and infrastructure projects would ease travel, boost trade and commerce, and generate new employment opportunities, particularly for the youth, through the establishment of modern train maintenance facilities in the region.
Highlighting a major milestone in the modernisation of Indian Railways, the Prime Minister announced the introduction of Vande Bharat sleeper trains in India. He said the new Vande Bharat sleeper train would redefine long distance rail travel by offering greater comfort, safety and speed, reflecting the vision of a developed and modern India. Recalling his interaction with passengers at Malda Town Railway Station, he said travellers described the experience as extraordinary, underlining how Indian Railways has transformed from a system once compared with foreign railways to one that now attracts global attention.
The Prime Minister stated that the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train connects the land of Mother Kali with the land of Mother Kamakhya, symbolically linking West Bengal and Assam. He said this modern train would expand across the country in the coming years and congratulated the people of Bengal, Assam and the entire nation on the launch of this landmark service. The fully air conditioned train, flagged off between Howrah and Guwahati Kamakhya, is designed to offer an airline like travel experience at economical fares and will reduce travel time on the route by around two and a half hours, providing a major boost to tourism and religious travel.
Emphasising the rapid transformation of Indian Railways, the Prime Minister said that more than 150 Vande Bharat trains are now operating across the country, supported by extensive electrification of railway lines and modernisation of stations. He announced the introduction of four new Amrit Bharat Express trains for West Bengal: New Jalpaiguri to Nagercoil, New Jalpaiguri to Tiruchirappalli, Alipurduar to Bengaluru and Alipurduar to Mumbai Panvel. These services, he said, would significantly strengthen connectivity between North Bengal and South and Western India, benefiting pilgrims, migrant workers, students, traders and middle class families.
The Prime Minister underlined that Indian Railways is becoming both modern and self reliant, noting that India now manufactures more locomotives than the United States and Europe and exports passenger and metro train coaches to several countries. He said this growth in indigenous manufacturing is strengthening the economy while creating employment opportunities for the youth. Connecting India and reducing distances, he said, remains a national mission clearly reflected in the projects launched at Malda.
As part of the programme, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including the new Balurghat Hili rail line, next generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Shed and modernisation of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district. These projects will improve passenger and freight operations, enhance logistics efficiency in North Bengal and generate jobs.
He also dedicated to the nation the electrification of the New Coochbehar Bamanhat and New Coochbehar Boxirhat rail lines, enabling faster, cleaner and more energy efficient operations. Additionally, two new train services with LHB coaches were flagged off between Radhikapur and SMVT Bengaluru and Balurghat and SMVT Bengaluru, providing direct and safe connectivity to major employment and IT hubs.
On the road infrastructure front, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the rehabilitation and four laning of the Dhupguri Falakata section of National Highway 31D, a key project aimed at improving regional road connectivity and facilitating smoother movement of passengers and goods in North Bengal.
The projects inaugurated and launched at Malda are expected to play a vital role in building modern infrastructure, improving regional and inter state connectivity, and strengthening the Eastern and North Eastern regions as key growth engines of the nation.
