17-07-2025
Projects worth Rs 5000 crore and a political message: Bengal gears up ahead of PM Modi's rally
Political analysts await Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in West Bengal's Durgapur tomorrow, July 18, a significant event just days before the state's ruling party Trinamool Congress's annual 'Shahid Divas' mega rally on July 21, where it is expected to set the tone for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal.
This marks the Prime Minister's second visit to the state in recent times, following his address in Alipurduar after Operation Sindoor on May 29. Following the launches of some projects, PM Modi is expected to lead a rally from Gandhi More to Nehru Stadium, culminating in a public meeting at the stadium.
Analysts will keenly watch his speech, especially in light of the Trinamool Congress's ongoing campaign against the alleged targeting of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states. The event is set to draw significant BJP leadership, including the newly appointed state party president Samik Bhattacharya, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, and actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty.
Notably, former BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, who has recently been less visible at party events, is also confirmed to be in attendance. BJP leaders and workers are hopeful that they will show a unified front tomorrow.
The Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate, dedicate, and lay foundation stones for multiple projects across various sectors, collectively valued at over Rs 5,000 crore. These initiatives encompass oil and gas, power, road, and rail infrastructure.
Key among these projects is the foundation stone laying for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL)'s City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts, an investment of approximately Rs 1,950 crore. This project aims to bring PNG connections to homes, businesses, and industries, establish CNG retail outlets, and generate employment.
The Prime Minister will also flag off the 132 km Durgapur-Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, part of the ambitious Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project.
This section, costing over Rs 1,190 crore, traverses through Purba Bardhman, Hooghly, and Nadia districts, promising natural gas supply to households and having created employment during its construction.
In a move towards cleaner energy, PM Modi will also dedicate the Retrofitting Pollution Control System – Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems at Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station of Damodar Valley Corporation. These projects, worth over Rs 1,457 crore, are expected to facilitate cleaner energy production and create job opportunities.
Rail infrastructure will also receive a boost with the dedication of the doubled Purulia – Kotshila Rail Line (36 KM) in Purulia, a project valued at over Rs 390 crore. This upgrade is set to enhance rail connectivity for industries in Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad with Ranchi and Kolkata, streamlining goods movement and reducing travel times. Additionally, two road over bridges (ROBs) constructed under the Setu Bharatam Programme, costing over Rs 380 crore, will be inaugurated at Topsi and Pandabeswar in Paschim Bardhaman, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce railway crossing accidents.
Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics.
With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences.
Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
