PM to dedicate and lay foundation stone for various rail and road projects worth over ₹3,250 crore in Malda on 17th January
PM to flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya)
Fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper Train to offer a modern, comfortable and affordable long-distance travel experience
PM to inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur, Hooghly
PM to lay the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, boosting inland water transport and regional connectivity
PM to flag off 7 Amrit Bharat trains, boosting rail connectivity of West Bengal with other States
Posted On: 16 JAN 2026 1:55PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal on 17-18 January, 2026.
On 17th January, at around 12:45 PM, Prime Minister will visit Malda and flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) at Malda Town Railway Station. Thereafter, at around 1:45 PM, Prime Minister will dedicate to the Nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than ₹3,250 crore in a public function at Malda.
On 18th January, at around 3 PM, Prime Minister will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and flag off various development projects worth around ₹830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district.
PM in Malda
Prime Minister will visit Malda and dedicate to the nation, and lay the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth ₹3,250 crore, aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in West Bengal and the North-Eastern region.
Prime Minister will visit Malda Town Railway Station, where he will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya). He will also virtually flag off the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Train. Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper train is set to offer passengers an airline-like travel experience at economical fares. It will make long-distance journeys faster, safer, and more convenient. By significantly reducing travel time by around 2.5 hours on the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) route, the train will also give a major boost to religious travel and tourism.
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 modernization of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district. These projects will strengthen passenger and freight operations, improve logistics efficiency in North Bengal, and generate employment opportunities in the region.
Prime Minister 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.
Prime Minister will further virtually flag off 4 New Amrit Bharat Express trains – New Jalpaiguri- Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express; New Jalpaiguri- Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express; Alipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express; 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.
Prime Minister will also flag off two new train services equipped with LHB coaches – Radhikapur – SMVT Bengaluru Express; Balurghat – SMV…

