Overview
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal and Assam on Saturday, January 17, 2026, and Sunday, January 18, 2026. During this visit, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects, with a focus on improving connectivity and infrastructure in the two states, both of which are preparing for assembly elections later in the year. Key projects include flagging off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train and performing bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project.
Key Developments in West Bengal
Rail and Road Infrastructure Projects
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 12.45 p.m., the Prime Minister will visit Malda in West Bengal. He will flag off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Howrah with Guwahati (Kamakhya) at the Malda town railway station.
Around 1.45 p.m., he 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. These projects are aimed at enhancing transportation and connectivity in the region.
Projects in Hooghly District
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, around 3 p.m., Mr. Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone, and flag off various development projects worth around ₹830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to boost infrastructure development across the state.
New Train Services
The Prime Minister will 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
- Alipurduar-Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express
These trains will enhance affordable and reliable long-distance rail connectivity, supporting the mobility needs of common citizens, students, migrant workers, and traders, while strengthening inter-state economic and social linkages.
Additionally, Mr. Modi will flag off two new train services equipped with LHB coaches:
- Radhikapur-SMVT Bengaluru Express
- 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.
Road Infrastructure
The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the rehabilitation and four-laning of the Dhupguri-Falakata section of National Highway-31D. This key road project will improve regional road connectivity and facilitate smoother movement of passengers and goods in north Bengal.
Railway Projects
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
- Modernisation of Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district
He will also 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.
Key Developments in Assam
Bodo Cultural Programme
On January 17, around 6 p.m., PM Modi will participate in the traditional Bodo cultural programme “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026” at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. This event will celebrate the rich heritage of the Bodo community, with more than 10,000 artists performing the Bagurumba dance.
Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project
On January 18, around 11 a.m., Mr. Modi will perform bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project, worth over ₹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. It will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
New Amrit Bharat Express Trains
During the programme, Prime Minister Modi will also flag off two New Amrit Bharat Express trains:
- Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express
- 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.
UPSC Relevance
The projects outlined in this article are relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Examination, particularly in the context of:
- GS Paper 1: Indian Culture (Bodo dance), Geography (Kaziranga National Park)
- GS Paper 3: Infrastructure, Environment, Economic Development
The focus on infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation aligns with key themes in the UPSC syllabus.