‘Government of India making every effort for West Bengal’s growth’: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised the government’s efforts to strengthen metro infrastructure in West Bengal, saying the launch of new services in Kolkata reflects how the government of India is transforming India’s cities.

During his address, PM Modi lauded the government of India by saying, “The Government of India is making every possible effort for the development of West Bengal. Today, West Bengal has become one of those states in the country where railway electrification has been completed 100 per cent. For a long time, there has been a demand for a MEMU train between Purulia and Howrah, and the Government of India has fulfilled this demand of the people as well.”

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He said it is a matter of pride that India now has the world’s third-largest metro network. Before 2014, the country had only 250 km of metro lines, but today it has grown to over 1,000 km. In Kolkata too, the metro has expanded with seven new stations, which will make life and travel much easier for the people of the city.

Therefore, the message of today’s program is even greater than the inauguration of the metro and the foundation laying of the highway, he stated. This event is also proof of how today’s India is transforming its cities, he further stated.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | PM Narendra Modi says, “Today once again I got the opportunity to accelerate development in West Bengal…Everyone is happy that Kolkata’s public transport has progressed…I congratulate the people of Kolkata for these development projects” pic.x.com/UfIdQMn1aS

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2025

“Cities like Kolkata… are the rich identity of both India’s history and our future. Today, as India moves towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy… the role of Dumdum, Kolkata… these cities is immense,” he said.

Today, the foundation stone for the 6-lane elevated Kona Expressway was also laid here. Heartiest congratulations to the people of Kolkata and the entire West Bengal for all these projects worth thousands of crores of rupees.

He further said, “Today, once again, I got the opportunity to accelerate development in West Bengal…Everyone is happy that Kolkata’s public transport has progressed…I congratulate the people of Kolkata for these development projects”

“Everyone is happy that Kolkata’s public transport is truly becoming modern. Today, the foundation stone for the six-lane elevated Kona Expressway has also been laid. Congratulations to the people of Kolkata on these projects worth crores of rupees,” he said.

The Prime Minister inaugurated metro services on the newly built stretches in Kolkata.  He also laid the foundation stone and dedicated development projects worth over ₹5,200 crore in the city.

PM Modi took metro ride and interacted with school students and construction workers involved in the metro projects. PM Modi flagged off the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service from Jessore Road Metro Station and Sealdah–Esplanade metro service and the Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro service.