India Infrastructure Surge: PM Modi Unveils ₹11,000 Crore Growth Blueprint in Assam and Bengal
Guwahati-India, 19 January 2026
In a major push toward transforming the connectivity of Eastern and Northeastern India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded a high-stakes two-day visit to West Bengal and Assam.
On this Sunday, 18 January 2026, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a series of landmark infrastructure projects totaling over ₹11,000 crore.
These initiatives, ranging from the world’s most ambitious elevated wildlife corridor to the debut of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, signal a strategic pivot toward modernizing the nation’s logistics and transit backbone ahead of critical regional elections.
The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor: A Global Conservation Landmark
The centerpiece of today’s events was the “Bhoomi Pujan” (groundbreaking ceremony) for the ₹6,957-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam’s Nagaon district.
This 86-kilometer project is being hailed as a global model for “green infrastructure.” It features a 35-kilometer elevated section specifically designed to allow the uninterrupted movement of wildlife, including the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, across the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
For decades, the existing National Highway-715 (formerly NH-37) has been a site of tragic animal fatalities, especially during the annual monsoon floods when wildlife migrates to higher ground.
The new four-lane corridor will not only safeguard biodiversity but also drastically reduce travel time between Central and Upper Assam, including the industrial hubs of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
West Bengal’s Multi-Modal Revolution
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited Singur in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, where he launched development works worth approximately ₹830 crore.
A major highlight was the foundation laying of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh.
Spanning 900 acres, this project includes an Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal and a road overbridge designed to de-congest the urban corridors of Kolkata.
By shifting heavy cargo to the Hooghly river via a new state-of-the-art electric catamaran also launched today, the government aims to create a cleaner, more efficient logistics loop.
Furthermore, the inauguration of the Jayrambati-Maynapur rail line provides essential connectivity to the Bankura district, fulfilling a long-standing demand from local commuters and pilgrims.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat Expansion
The visit also marked a historic moment for Indian Railways with the official launch of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train service between Howrah and Guwahati.
Unlike the existing day-trains, this sleeper version is designed for long-distance, overnight travel, offering a premium experience to passengers moving between West Bengal and the Northeast.
In addition to this flagship service, the Prime Minister flagged off five new Amrit Bharat Express trains today—three from West Bengal and two from Assam.
These high-speed, “common man” trains are part of a broader strategy to link the East with major employment and IT hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai (Tambaram), and Lucknow (Gomti Nagar), facilitating smoother labor and student migration.
Strategic Governance and the Political Horizon
The Castle Journal exclusive department reports that these projects are more than just civil engineering feats; they represent a “Connectivity Diplomacy” aimed at integrating the Northeast more deeply into the national economy.
With Assembly elections approaching in both states later this year, the scale of these investments serves as a powerful political statement of intent.
PM Modi emphasized that “infrastructure is the guarantee of development,” noting that the modern rail and road links will act as a force multiplier for local MSMEs and the agricultural sector.
For the world leadership, India’s ability to balance rapid industrialization with environmental conservation—as seen in the Kaziranga project—offers a new template for developing nations navigating the pressures of the 21st century.
Headline Summary:
• ₹11,000 Crore Investment: PM Modi concludes a two-day tour of Assam and West Bengal with a massive infrastructure rollout.
• Kaziranga Wildlife Corridor: A ₹6,957-crore elevated highway launched to protect rhinos and speed up transit.
• Vande Bharat Sleeper Debut: India’s first long-distance sleeper version of the high-speed train connects Howrah to Guwahati.
• Balagarh Port Terminal: New inland water transport hub launched to de-congest Kolkata’s road network.
• Amrit Bharat Connectivity: Five new long-distance trains flagged off to link Eastern India with major national hubs.
