PMINDIA

Governor of West Bengal, Shri C.V. Ananda Bose ji; my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Ashwini Vaishnaw ji, Shantanu Thakur ji, Sukanta Majumdar ji; Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari ji; my colleagues in Parliament, Shamik Bhattacharya ji, Khagen Murmu ji, Kartik Chandra Paul ji; other representatives, ladies, and gentlemen.

​Today, the campaign to accelerate West Bengal’s progress from Malda has gained even more momentum. A short while ago, several projects related to the development of West Bengal were either inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid. New rail services have been gifted to West Bengal. These projects will make travel easier for the people here and will also simplify trade and business. The facilities created here for train maintenance will provide new opportunities for the youth of Bengal.

​Friends,

​From this holy land of Bengal, another major step has been taken today toward the modernization of Indian Railways. Today marks the commencement of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains in India. These new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will make the long journeys of our countrymen more comfortable, grand, and memorable. What should the trains of a “Developed India” (Viksit Bharat) look like? It is clearly visible in this Vande Bharat Sleeper train. A little while ago at Malda station, I was talking to some passengers; everyone was saying that sitting in this train gave them a wonderful sense of joy. We used to look at photos and videos of foreign trains and wish that such trains existed in India. Today, we are seeing that dream turn into reality. I have noticed lately that foreigners are making videos of India’s metros and trains to tell the world about the revolution taking place in Indian Railways. This Vande Bharat train is ‘Made in India’; the sweat of us Indians has gone into making it. This first Vande Bharat Sleeper train of the country connects the land of Maa Kali with the land of Maa Kamakhya. In the coming times, this modern train will be expanded across the entire country. I congratulate Bengal, Assam, and the whole country very much for this modern sleeper train.

​Friends,

​Today, Indian Railways is undergoing a phase of transformation. Railways are being electrified, and railway stations are becoming modern. Today, more than 150 Vande Bharat trains are running across the country, including West Bengal. Along with this, a complete network of modern and high-speed trains is being built, and its biggest beneficiaries are the poor and middle-class families of Bengal.

​Friends,

​Today, Bengal has received four more modern Amrit Bharat Express trains: New Jalpaiguri – Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express, New Jalpaiguri – Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express, Alipurduar – Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express and Alipurduar – Mumbai Amrit Bharat Express. This will further strengthen the connectivity of Bengal, especially North Bengal, with South and West India. This is particularly for those passengers who come from different parts of the country to visit Bengal and Eastern India—those who come for the darshan of Ganga Sagar, Dakshineswar, and Kalighat. These Amrit Bharat Express trains will make the journey easier for those traveling from here to Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

​Friends,

​Today, while Indian Railways is becoming modern, it is also becoming self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar). India’s rail engines, rail coaches, and metro coaches are becoming the identity of India’s technology. Today, we are manufacturing more locomotives than America and Europe. We export passenger trains and metro train coaches to many countries around the world. All of this significantly benefits our economy and provides employment to our youth.

​Friends,

​Connecting India is our priority; reducing distances is our mission, and this is evident in today’s program as well. Once again, my best wishes to all of you for these projects. Thank you very much. I have to attend a very large program nearby where many people are waiting; the things I haven’t mentioned here, I will explain in detail there, and the media’s attention will also be more on that speech. Thank you very much.