Reiterating his government’s vision for a developed India by 2047, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of West Bengal on Friday as he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several development projects in Durgapur.

During a public gathering, the Prime Minister stated, “Today, factories in Durgapur and Raghunathpur are being upgraded with new technology. An investment of Rs 1500 crore has been allocated for these… I extend my congratulations to the people of West Bengal on the completion of these projects…. We are committed to achieving ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’… Our goal is to make India a developed nation by 2047.”

Highlighting the government’s strategy to reach this objective, the Prime Minister emphasized, “Our approach is – Empowerment through development, Self-reliance through employment, Good governance through sensitivity.”

Acknowledging the significant contribution of the steel city of Durgapur to India’s progress, Prime Minister Modi remarked that the inaugurated projects will enhance Durgapur’s identity and assist West Bengal in advancing with the slogan ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.

“Durgapur, in addition to being a steel city, is also a vital hub for India’s labor force. Durgapur significantly contributes to India’s development. Today, we have the chance to further bolster this role; recently, projects worth Rs 5400 crore have been inaugurated here; all these initiatives will improve connectivity; gas-based transport will boost the local economy,” he stated.

“The projects launched today will further solidify the identity of this steel city, and they will aid West Bengal in progressing with the mantra of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. This will also generate job opportunities for the local youth. I congratulate all of you for this,” he concluded.

PM Modi highlighted the swift development of infrastructure in the country — spanning social, physical, and digital domains — stating that every state, including West Bengal, is benefiting from it.

“The entire world is engaged in discussions about the resolution of a Viksit Bharat, and this is attributed to the visible changes occurring in India. A key element of these changes is the infrastructure of the country. When we talk about infrastructure, it includes all forms, such as social, physical, and digital. Over 4 crore Pucca houses, millions of toilets, tap water connections valued at Rs 4 crore, new roads stretching 1000 kilometres, new highways, new rail lines, and airports are all under construction. The Internet has reached every village in the nation,” he stated.

The Prime Minister pointed out the notable advancements in railway infrastructure in West Bengal, which include Vande Bharat trains, the expansion of the Kolkata metro, new rail lines, and upgraded stations.

“Every state, including West Bengal, is reaping the benefits of this modern infrastructure. Significant work has been done to enhance train connectivity in Bengal. West Bengal is among the states in the country where a considerable number of Vande Bharat trains are operational, the Kolkata metro is rapidly expanding, new rail lines are being constructed, and numerous railway stations are being modernized.

In addition, a substantial number of railway overbridges are also being built. Today, Bengal has received two additional railway overbridges. All these efforts will contribute to making life easier for the people of Bengal,” he remarked.

PM Modi also addressed the enhanced air connectivity under the UDAN scheme. “The airports in this region have been integrated with the Udaan Yojana. In the past year, over 5 lakh passengers have utilized this service.

When this infrastructure is established, it not only provides modern facilities but also creates job opportunities for young individuals. Many people are finding employment in the production of the raw materials required for these projects,” the Prime Minister stated.

Prime Minister Modi officially opened and laid the groundwork for several development initiatives focused on the Oil and Gas, Power, Road, and Rail sectors in Durgapur, West Bengal.