Governor of West Bengal Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet Hardeep Singh Puri, Shantanu Thakur ji and Sukanta Majumdar ji, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari ji, my colleagues in Parliament Soumik Bhattacharya ji and Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato ji, other public representatives, my dear brothers and sisters, Namaskar!

Our Durgapur, besides being a Steel City, is also a major hub of Bharat’s workforce. Durgapur has played a significant role in Bharat’s development. Today, we have the opportunity to further strengthen that role. Just a short while ago, projects worth 5,400 crore rupees were either inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid here. These projects will enhance connectivity in the region. They will also promote a gas-based transport system and a gas-based economy. The projects launched today will strengthen the identity of this Steel City. In other words, these initiatives will help West Bengal move forward under the mantra of “Make in India, Make for the World.” They will also generate numerous employment opportunities for the youth here. I heartily congratulate all of you for these projects.

Friends,

Today, the world is talking about ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) resolutions. Behind this are the transformations being seen across Bharat— transformations that are laying the foundation for a ‘Viksit Bharat’. A major aspect of these changes is Bharat’s infrastructure. When I speak of infrastructure, I include social, physical, and digital infrastructure. More than four crore permanent houses for the poor, crores of toilets, over 12 crore tap water connections, thousands of kilometres of new roads, new highways, new rail lines, airports in smaller cities, and internet access reaching every home and village — all of this modern infrastructure is benefitting every state in the country, including West Bengal.

Friends,

Unprecedented work has been done on train connectivity in West Bengal. Bengal is among the states in the country where a large number of Vande Bharat trains are running. The Kolkata Metro is expanding rapidly. New railway lines are being laid here, and work on widening and electrification is progressing swiftly. Many railway stations are being modernized. In addition, a large number of railway overbridges are also being constructed. Today, two more railway overbridges have been given to West Bengal. All these efforts will significantly ease the lives of the people of Bengal.

Friends,

We have also connected the airport here with the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. In the past year alone, more than 500,000 passengers have travelled through it. You are well aware that when such infrastructure is developed, not only do people benefit from better facilities, but thousands of young people also get employment. Even the raw materials used in completing these projects are generating large-scale employment during their production.

Friends,

In the past 10–11 years, the work done on gas connectivity in the country has been unmatched. Over the last decade, LPG gas has reached every household in the country, and this achievement has been praised globally. We worked on the vision of One Nation, One Gas Grid and launched the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Yojana. Under this scheme, gas pipelines are being laid across six states of Eastern Bharat, including West Bengal. The aim is to ensure that affordable piped gas reaches industries and households in these states as well. When gas becomes available, only then will vehicles in these states be able to run on CNG, and our industries will be able to adopt gas-based technologies. I am happy that the industrial land of Durgapur has now become a part of the National Gas Grid. This will greatly benefit local industries. Through this project, approximately 25 to 30 lakh households in West Bengal will receive affordable piped gas. This means that life will become easier for these families and especially for our mothers and sisters. Thousands of employment opportunities will also be created as a result.

Friends,

Today, the major steel and power plants of Durgapur and Raghunathpur have also been equipped with new technology. An investment of around 1,500 crore rupees has been made in them. These plants have now become more efficient and are ready to compete globally. I extend special congratulations to the people of Bengal on the successful completion of these projects.

Friends,

Whether it’s Bharat’s factories or our fields and farms — work is happening everywhere with one clear resolution: to make Bharat a developed nation by 2047. Our path is: Empowerment through development, self-reliance through employment, and good governance through sensitivity. Guided by these principles, we are determined to make West Bengal a powerful engine in Bharat’s journey of development. Once again, I congratulate all of you on these development projects. That’s all for now — I have much more to say, but instead of saying it on this platform, it would be better to say it from the next stage nearby. The whole of Bengal and the entire country are eagerly waiting to hear what will be said there. Even the media is very curious. So friends, I’ll pause my words here for this program. But in just a few moments, I will speak again with thunderous resolve — from there. Thank you very much.

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MJPS/VJ/SKS/VK