After an overnight stay in Assam, PM Modi will address a public rally at Singur, the former site of the Tata Nano car project. The BJP aims to strengthen its focus on industrialization and investment in the state, leveraging Singur’s industrial history for political messaging.
As per the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Extended Port Gate System in Balagarh, which includes an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a Road Over Bridge.
Spanning nearly 900 acres, the Balagarh project aims to become a modern cargo-handling terminal, with a projected capacity of 2.7 million tonnes per annum. The facility will feature two jetties—one for containerized cargo and the other for dry bulk cargo.
This initiative seeks to enhance cargo evacuation efficiency by redirecting heavy freight from congested urban areas. The PMO highlighted that this is anticipated to alleviate traffic congestion, improve road safety, and reduce pollution levels in Kolkata.
This announcement coincides with the Prime Minister’s resumed two-day visit to the state, amidst a politically charged atmosphere ahead of the assembly elections.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will launch a cutting-edge electric catamaran in Kolkata to enhance urban river mobility, promote eco-tourism, and facilitate last-mile connectivity along the Hooghly River.
Developed domestically by Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the 50-passenger hybrid electric aluminium catamaran features advanced electric propulsion systems and lithium-titanate battery technology, allowing for zero-emission operations in electric mode and extended endurance in hybrid mode. It is one of six such vessels being built for inland water transport.
Rail infrastructure will also be a focus of the day’s agenda. Modi will inaugurate the new Jayrambati–Barogopinathpur–Maynapur rail line, part of the ongoing Tarkeshwar–Bishnupur rail project. In addition, a new passenger train service connecting Maynapur and Jayrambati, with a stop at Barogopinathpur, will be launched, enhancing direct rail access to Bankura district for commuters, students, and pilgrims.
The Prime Minister will also flag off three Amrit Bharat Express trains—connecting Howrah to Anand Vihar Terminal, Sealdah to Banaras, and Santragachi to Tambaram—to bolster long-distance rail connectivity between West Bengal and other regions.
Singur’s Political Symbolism
The selection of Singur as the rally venue is significant. Nearly twenty years ago, protests against land acquisition for Tata Motors’ Nano plant compelled the automaker to relocate the project to Gujarat. The BJP has frequently referenced this incident as a case of a lost industrial opportunity and pledged to rejuvenate industrial growth in the state if elected.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister inaugurated several rail and road infrastructure projects from Malda and flagged off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train service between Howrah and Guwahati. He also criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government, alleging it has facilitated illegal infiltration and permitted a “syndicate raj” to prevail.
With assembly elections anticipated in early 2026, the rivalry between the BJP and TMC is intensifying. Earlier this week, the West Bengal Police registered four FIRs against 20 Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, accusing them of trespassing and obstruction following an ED raid on the I-PAC office. This move indicated a rare escalation by the state police against a central investigative agency.
The standoff prompted judicial intervention, with the Supreme Court halting police investigations against the ED officials, effectively suspending the police inquiry.
