Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated, laid foundation stone and dedicated to the nation railway and road projects worth Rs 4,500 crores at a Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal programme in Siliguri on Saturday.

PM dedicated multiple railway electrification projects benefiting directly the people of North Bengal. They include Eklakhi – Balurghat, Barsoi – Radhikapur, Raninagar – Jalpaiguri – Haldibari, Siliguri – Aluabari section Via Bagdogra and Siliguri – Sevok Alipurduar Junction – Shamuktola (including Alipurduar Junction – New Coochbehar) section.

Prime Minister also dedicated other important railway projects including the doubling of railway line in Manigram – Nimtita section; and automatic block signaling in Ambari Falakata – Aluabari (including electronic Interlocking in New Jalpaiguri). He has flagged off a new passenger train service between Siliguri and Radhikapur. These railway projects will improve connectivity, facilitate freight movement and contribute to employment generation and economic growth in the region.

Among the road projects, Prime Minister inaugurated two National Highway projects worth Rs. 3,100 crores in West Bengal. They include four-lane Ghospukur – Dhupguri Section of NH 27 and four-lane Islampur Bypass on NH 27. The Ghospukur – Dhupguri Section is part of the North-South transport corridor which will connect Eastern India with the rest of the country. The four laning of this section will lead to seamless connectivity between North Bengal and North-Eastern regions. The four-lane Islampur Bypass will help in reducing traffic congestion in Islampur town of Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal. The road projects will also provide impetus to industrial and economic growth in the region.

PM Modi also addressed a public meeting at Kawakhali Maidan in Siliguri.

Earlier, PM had participated in a road show before reaching the venue.