Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday kicked off a slew of development projects worth overRs12,000 crore during his visit to Bihar and West Bengal, reinforcing the Centre’s focus on infrastructure, employment generation, and regional connectivity.
Of the total outlay, Bihar will receive projects exceeding Rs 7,200 crore, while West Bengal will benefit from initiatives worth aroundRs5,000 crore. PM Modi addressed large public gatherings in Motihari (Bihar) and Durgapur (West Bengal), where he outlined the strategic importance of these investments.
Boost to connectivity and transport in Bihar
In Motihari, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several key initiatives across rail, road, IT, fisheries, and rural development sectors. A highlight of the visit was the flagging off of four Amrit Bharat Express trains, linking Patna, Motihari, Darbhanga, and Malda Town with northern cities such as Delhi and Lucknow.
Among major rail projects, the inauguration of automatic signalling on the Samastipur–Bachhwara line, and the doubling of the Darbhanga–Thalwara and Samastipur–Rambhadrapur sections were key developments, collectively worthRs580 crore. Further, foundation stones were laid for a Vande Bharat train maintenance depot at Patliputra and the Darbhanga–Narkatiaganj doubling project, totallingRs4,080 crore.
On the roadways front, two highway upgrades were launched: the four-laning of the Ara bypass and Parariya–Mohania section of NH-319, worthRs820 crore. These will enhance connectivity to the Delhi–Kolkata Golden Quadrilateral corridor.
Tech, fisheries and rural innovation
PM Modi also launched a new Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) centre in Darbhanga and an incubation hub in Patna, aimed at fostering Bihar’s digital and startup ecosystem. Under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, new fisheries infrastructure such as hatcheries, fish feed mills, and aquaculture units were introduced to support rural livelihoods.
Energy and gas infrastructure in Bengal
In West Bengal, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for BPCL’s City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts. With an investment ofRs1,950 crore, the initiative will deliver piped natural gas (PNG) to households, businesses, and industries, along with compressed natural gas (CNG) availability at retail stations.
He also dedicated the Durgapur–Kolkata stretch of the Durgapur–Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline and the Bokaro–Dhamra pipeline under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) project to the nation—marking another milestone in strengthening the region’s gas-based infrastructure.
The day’s announcements signal a strong political and economic push in the eastern belt, ahead of key electoral cycles, with focus on sustainable development and grassroots impact.