Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that poll-bound West Bengal has made up its mind for 'poriborton' (change). PM Modi stated that the formation of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal isn't just for a change in power, but for 'Ashol Poriborton'.
During his second visit to the state this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the extension of Kolkata Metro Railway from Noapara to Dakshineswar, revered for the over 160-year-old temple of Goddess Kali.
He virtually flagged off the first service on this 4.1 km stretch constructed at a cost of Rs 464 crore. It will decongest road traffic and improve urban mobility.
The prime minister said that the metro railway extension will ensure easier and faster connectivity between the city's Kalighat Temple and the Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
Modi also dedicated to the nation the third line between Kalaikunda and Jhargram, doubling of Azimganj to Khagraghat Road section, fourth line between Dankuni and Baruipara, and the third line between Rasulpur and Magra.
He said the new lines will reduce congestion and ensure better connectivity.
While addressing a public meeting in Hooghly, Prime Minister said, "Modern highways, railways, airways, infrastructure of many countries helped those nations to become modern, where it became a major cause for positive change. Our country should have done the same thing decades ago. But it did not happen," he added.
Addressing the huge crowd at the meeting, PM Modi said, "This enthusiasm and energy by all of you is sending a message from Kolkata to Delhi. Now West Bengal has made up its mind for 'poriborton' (change)."
"This year 'rail and metro' connectivity is Centre's priority. Such work should have been done decades back and now, we should not delay any projects, from broadening of rail lines to electrification work, money being invested in infrastructure projects," he added.
The Prime Minister also said that lakhs of needy people in West Bengal have not been able to receive free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat.
"This is the kind of hurdle Mamata Ji's government has formed between people of Bengal and development," he said.
The two newly built stations namely Baranagar and Dakshineswar have modern passenger amenities and are also aesthetically designed and decorated with murals, photographs, sculptures and idols.
On February 7, he visited Haldia and dedicated to the nation the LPG import terminal built by BPCL. He also dedicated to the nation Dobhi-Durgapur Natural Gas Pipeline section of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project.