New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat express connecting Bengal’s Howrah and New Jalpaiguri. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present at the event.
The event was also attended by Governor C V Ananda Bose and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The ultra-modern Semi High-Speed Train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. The train will stop at Malda Town, Barsoi and Kishanganj stations en route in both directions.
The prime minister also inaugurated the Joka-Taratala Stretch of the Joka-Esplanade Metro Project (Purple Line).
Railway and metro projects being launched in West Bengal will improve connectivity and further 'Ease of Living' for the people. https://t.co/Z0Hec08qh5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2022
According to an official release, the 6.5 km stretch having six stations–Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakher Bazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar and Taratala–has been constructed at a cost of more than Rs 2475 crore.
“Passengers of southern parts of Kolkata City like Sarsuna, Dakghar, Muchipara and South 24 Parganas will be immensely benefited from the inauguration of this project,” it said.
PM Narendra Modi also dedicated four railway projects to the nation. These include the Boinchi – Shaktigarh third line, developed at a cost of Rs 405 crore; the Dankuni – Chandanpur 4th Line Project developed at a cost of Rs 565 crore; Nimtita – New Farakka Double Line developed at a cost of Rs 254 crore; and Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri – Gumanihat Doubling Project developed at a cost of more than Rs 1080 crore.
Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to be developed at the cost of more than Rs 335 crore.
