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India PM | January 17-18, 2026 Weekend Newsletter: Your Essential Weekend Briefing on India's Prime Minister
The India PM Weekend Newsletter for January 17-18, 2026 covers PM Modi calling Kaziranga a priceless jewel of India's biodiversity, inaugurating and laying foundation stones for projects worth Rs 830 crore in Singur, flagging off India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, witnessing the grand Bagurumba dance in Guwahati, sharing an article on significant improvements in Assam, and paying tribute to MGR.
Kaziranga is Priceless Jewel of India’s Biodiversity: PM Modi
Performs Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), worth over ₹6,950 Crore in Kaliabor, Assam on January 18, 2026.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, PM Modi said Kaziranga is more than a National Park—it is the soul of Assam, a priceless jewel of India’s biodiversity, honored by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
In recent years, Kaziranga has witnessed a steady rise in tourism, and through homestays, guide services, transport, handicrafts, and small enterprises, local youth have discovered new avenues of livelihood, the Prime Minister added.
Talking about the region, the Prime Minister said that the North East is no longer on the margins of development; it is now closer to the nation’s heart and to Delhi itself:
The 86 km long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is an environmentally conscious National Highway project. It will feature 35 km of Elevated Wildlife Corridor that will pass through Kaziranga National Park, 21 km Bypass section and 30 km widening of the existing highway section of NH-715 from two to four lanes. The project aims to improve regional connectivity while ensuring protection of the park’s rich biodiversity.
The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The elevated wildlife corridor will ensure uninterrupted movement of animals, reduce human-wildlife conflict. It will also enhance road safety, reduce travel time and accident rates, and support growing passenger and freight traffic. As part of the project, Bypasses will be developed at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat that will help to decongest towns, improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for local residents.
During the programme, Prime Minister also flagged off 2 New Amrit Bharat Express trains - Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express. These new train services will strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and Northern India, enabling safer and more convenient travel for the people.
PM Modi Inaugurates, Lays Foundation Stone and Flags Off Projects Worth Rs. 830 Crore in Singur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and flagged off various development projects worth more than Rs. 830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district, West Bengal on January 18, 2026.
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and flagged off various development projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur, Hooghly.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a Road Over Bridge
Spanning an area of approximately 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo handling terminal with an envisaged capacity of about 2.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The project includes the construction of two dedicated cargo handling jetties, one for containerised cargo and one for dry bulk cargo.
Prime Minister Modi also launched a state-of-the-art Electric Catamaran in Kolkata.
This is one of the 6 Electric Catamarans indigenously built for inland water transport by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The 50-passenger hybrid electric aluminium catamaran, equipped with advanced electric propulsion systems and lithium-titanate battery technology, is capable of operating in fully electric zero-emission mode as well as in hybrid mode for extended endurance. The vessel will support urban river mobility, eco-tourism and last-mile passenger connectivity along the Hooghly River.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Jayrambati–Barogopinathpur–Maynapur new rail line. This line is an important part of the Tarkeshwar–Bishnupur new rail line project.
He also flagged off a new train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati, with a halt at Barogopinathpur. It will provide direct rail connectivity to the residents of Bankura district, making travel more affordable and convenient for daily commuters, students and pilgrims.
Prime Minister Modi also flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains : Kolkata (Howrah) - Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express; Kolkata (Sealdah) - Banaras Amrit Bharat Express; Kolkata (Santragachi) - Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express.
PM Flags off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
Lays Foundation Stone of Multiple Rail and Road Infrastructure Projects Worth More than Rs. 3,250 crore in Malda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, 2026, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs. 3,250 crore at Malda, West Bengal.
Prime Minister Modi visited Malda Town Railway Station, where he flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya). He also virtually flagged off the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Train.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of four major railway projects in West Bengal, including the new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, upgradation of the Siliguri Loco Shed, and modernization of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district.
PM Modi dedicated to the Nation the electrification of rail lines between New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat, enabling faster, cleaner and more energy-efficient train operations.
The Prime Minister further virtually flagged off 4 New Amrit Bharat Express trains - New Jalpaiguri- Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express; New Jalpaiguri- Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express; Alipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express; Alipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express. This will enhance affordable and reliable long-distance rail connectivity.
Prime Minister Modi also flagged off two new train services equipped with LHB coaches - Radhikapur – SMVT Bengaluru Express; Balurghat – SMVT Bengaluru Express.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the rehabilitation and four-laning of the Dhupguri–Falakata section of National Highway-31D, a key road project that will improve regional road connectivity and facilitate smoother movement of passengers and goods in North Bengal.
PM Modi Witnesses Grand Bagurumba Dance in Guwahati
Assam witnessed a historic moment on January 17, 2026, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Bagurumba Dwhou programme held at the Arjun Bhogeswar Barooah Sports Complex in Sarusajai, Guwahati.
Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister rode in a specially decorated vehicle and acknowledged the artistes by accepting their greetings. He was accorded a traditional welcome with an Eri shawl, Arnai, the traditional musical instrument Serja, and a portrait of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, regarded as the father figure of the Bodo community.
During the programme, Prime Minister Modi paid floral tribute to the portrait of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala. Before the main event began, he addressed the artistes and the audience present at the venue.
Following this, nearly 10,000 performers together presented the traditional Bagurumba dance of the Bodo community in front of the Prime Minister, creating a spectacular cultural display.
PM Shares Article Highlighting Significant Improvements in Assam
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, 2026, shared an article highlighting the significant improvements Assam has witnessed over the last 11 years in peace, culture and infrastructure.
Responding to a post by Union Minister Pabitra Margherita on X, the PMO India handle stated:
“Union MoS Shri @PmargheritaBJP writes about the significant improvements Assam has witnessed over the last 11 years in peace, culture and infrastructure.
He underlines a development model that balances economic growth with ecological responsibility as the state moves steadily towards a Viksit Assam, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047”
PM Pays Tribute to MGR
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, 2026, paid tributes to the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
In a statement, the Prime Minister lauded MGR’s multifaceted legacy, highlighting his monumental role in the socio-economic development of Tamil Nadu and his efforts in taking Tamil culture to the global stage.
The Prime Minister posted on X :
“Paying homage to the exceptional MGR on his Jayanti. His contribution to Tamil Nadu’s progress is outstanding. Equally noteworthy is his role in popularising Tamil culture. We will always keep working to realise his vision for our society.”