Page 41 - NIS English 1-15 Feb, 2026

West Bengal on Path of Development for waterways, an area where the central
This state has extraordinary potential
₹4,080 crore worth of various rail government is continuously working. This
and development projects
is crucial not only for the development of
inaugurated and foundation
West Bengal but also for the development
stones laid in Malda
of India. These are the pillars upon which
n Flagging off of India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train West Bengal can be transformed into a major
between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya). hub for manufacturing, trade, and logistics.
n Laying of the foundation stone for the expanded port gate Today, India is placing great emphasis on
system at Balagarh, which will boost inland water transport multi-modal connectivity and green mobility.
and regional connectivity. To facilitate transportation, ports, inland wa-
n Launch of a state-of-the-art electric catamaran in Kolkata. terways, highways, and airports are all being
This is one of the six indigenously built electric catamarans interconnected. This is reducing both logistics
for inland water transport by Cochin Shipyard Limited. costs and travel time. India is rapidly advanc-
n Flagging off of 7 Amrit Bharat trains, strengthening West ing in the production and export of fisheries
Bengal's rail connectivity with other states. and seafood, and the Prime Minister’s vision
n These trains are: New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil Amrit Bharat for West Bengal is to lead the country in this
Express; New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat sector.
Express; Alipurduar-SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat
Express; Alipurduar-Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express; MODERNITY AND SELF-RELIANCE
Kolkata (Howrah)-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Indian Railways is becoming both modern and
Express; Kolkata (Sealdah)-Banaras Amrit Bharat Express;
Kolkata (Santragachi)-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express. self-reliant. Railway lines are being electrified,
n Laying of the foundation stone for four major railway and railway stations are being modernized.
projects in West Bengal, including a new rail line between Indian-made locomotives, railway coaches,
Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance and metro coaches are becoming symbols of
facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Indian technology. Today, more locomotives
Shed, and modernization of Vande Bharat train maintenance are being manufactured in India than in the
facilities in Jalpaiguri district. US and Europe. India has started exporting
n Dedication to the nation of the electrification of rail lines passenger and metro train coaches to several
between New Cooch Behar-Bamanhat and New Cooch countries around the world, benefiting the
Behar-Boxirhat. Two new train services equipped with LHB economy and creating new employment op-
coaches were also flagged off. portunities for the youth. Today, more than
n Inauguration of the Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur 150 Vande Bharat trains are operating across
new rail line. the country, including in West Bengal. Along
n Laying of the foundation stone for the reconstruction and with this, a complete network of modern and
four-laning of the Dhupguri-Falakata section of National high-speed trains is being developed. This is
Highway-31D. greatly benefiting the poor and middle-class

families of West Bengal. n
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February 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 39