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| (Photo: Screen grab of the video from YouTube Channel of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.) |
YMAM Desk
Kolkata, August 22, 2025:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 5,200 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Governor of West Bengal C.V. Ananda Bose, Union Ministers Shantanu Thakur, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Sukanta Majumdar, and other dignitaries attended the event.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
Key Highlights of PM Modi’s Address
21st-century India requires a 21st-century transport system.
Two of the country’s busiest railway stations—Howrah and Sealdah—are now connected via metro.
Termed the new metro projects a major step for urban mobility and seamless connectivity.
Said Kolkata Airport is now connected to the metro network.
Highlighted Kolkata’s role in India’s economic growth and emphasized the need for modern, integrated transport systems—from rail to metro to airport.
Metro Railway Projects
Inaugurated
13.61 km of newly constructed Kolkata metro network inaugurated.
Flagged off the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service from Jessore Road Metro Station, improving airport connectivity.
Through video conferencing, also flagged off Sealdah–Esplanade and Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro services.
Inaugurated subway at Howrah Metro Station.
Undertook a metro ride from Jessore Road Metro Station to Jai Hind Bimanbandar and back
Benefits of New Metro Services
Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar service enhances airport access for lakhs of travellers.
Sealdah–Esplanade metro reduces travel time between key points from roughly 40 minutes to just 11 minutes.
Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro boosts IT hub connectivity and urban mobility.
New routes strengthen multimodal transport and reduce travel times across Kolkata.
Foundation Stone for Kona Expressway
7.2 km six-lane elevated Kona Expressway project worth over Rs 1,200 crore launched.
Will enhance connectivity between Howrah, rural areas, and Kolkata, saving significant commuting time and boosting trade and tourism.