Addressing the gathering, the PM said, “I am fortunate as development projects worth more than Rs 15,000 crore are being inaugurated and foundation stones are laid encompassing electricity, road, and railway sectors to make the lives of West Bengal’s citizens easier. These projects would give momentum to the development of West Bengal and also provide better employment opportunities for the youth.”

Stressing on the importance of electricity for development, the Prime Minister said that the central government is working to make West Bengal self-reliant for its electricity needs. “It is our effort that West Bengal becomes self-reliant for its present and future electricity needs. West Bengal acts as the Eastern Gate for the country and many eastern states. The government is working for modern infrastructure of roadways, railways, airways and waterways,” said Modi.

During the event, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station Phase II (2×660 MW) located at Raghunathpur in Purulia district. He also inaugurated the flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) system of Unit 7 & 8 of Mejia Thermal Power Station and a road project for four laning of Farakka-Raiganj Section of NH-12. The PM dedicated to the nation four rail projects worth over Rs 940 crore in West Bengal.

According to the PM, the Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, a coal-based thermal power project of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), will bring more than Rs 11,000 crore worth of investment in the state.
The FGD system of the Mejia Thermal Power Station, developed at a cost of about Rs 650 crore, is an example of India’s seriousness towards environmental issues, he added.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Union Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur were also present at the event.