PM Modi to visit Bengal, Assam on Jan 17, 18; will flag off first Vande Bharat sleeper train
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal and Assam on January 17 and 18 where he will flag off India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects in the two poll-bound states and perform bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project.
The prime minister will visit Malda in West Bengal on Saturday around 12.45 pm and flag off India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Howrah with Guwahati (Kamakhya) at the Malda town railway station, an official statement said.
Around 1.45 pm, he will dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 3,250 crore in a public function at Malda.
On January 18, around 3 pm, Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects worth around Rs 830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district.
West Bengal and Assam will face assembly elections later this year.
The prime minister will further virtually flag off four new Amrit Bharat Express trains -- New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express, New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express, Alipurduar-SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express and Alipurduar-Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express.
This will enhance affordable and reliable long-distance rail connectivity. These services will support the mobility needs of common citizens, students, migrant workers and traders, while strengthening inter-state economic and social linkages, the statement said.
Modi will also flag off two new train services equipped with LHB coaches -- Radhikapur-SMVT Bengaluru Express and Balurghat-SMVT Bengaluru Express. These trains will provide the region's youth, students and IT professionals with direct, safe and comfortable travel connectivity to major IT and employment hubs such as Bengaluru.
The prime minister will lay 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.
These projects will play a vital role in building modern infrastructure and improved connectivity, strengthening the eastern and northeastern regions as key growth engines of the nation.
The prime minister will lay 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 modernisation of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district.
He will dedicate 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.
On January 17, around 6 pm, PM Modi will participate in the traditional Bodo cultural programme "Bagurumba Dwhou 2026" at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.
It will be a historic cultural event celebrating the rich heritage of the Bodo community, the statement said.
On this occasion, more than 10,000 artists from the Bodo community will perform the Bagurumba dance in a single, synchronised presentation. Artists from 81 legislative assembly constituencies from across 23 districts of the state will take part in the event.
Bagurumba is one of the folk dances of the Bodo community, deeply inspired by nature. The dance symbolises blooming flowers and reflects harmony between human life and the natural world.
On January 18, around 11 am, Modi will perform bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project, worth over Rs 6,950 crore and will flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains at Kaliabor in Nagaon district.
The 86-km-long elevated corridor project is an environmentally conscious national highway project. It will feature 35 km of elevated wildlife corridor that will pass through the Kaziranga National Park, 21 km of bypass section and 30 km of 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 the uninterrupted movement of animals and 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 Modi will also flag off two 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.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
