Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several development projects worth ₹5,400 crore in Durgapur, West Bengal. These projects span sectors like oil & gas, power, road, and rail.
“The projects launched today will enhance connectivity in the region and boost gas-based transport and the gas-based economy and reinforce Durgapur’s identity as a Steel City,” he said, according to a press statement.
Among the key projects, the PM laid the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL)’s City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in the Bankura and Purulia districts, valued at approximately ₹1,950 crore.
This project aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to households, commercial establishments, and industrial customers, while also establishing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) retail outlets, thereby generating employment in the region.
Further bolstering energy infrastructure, PM Modi launched the Durgapur to Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, an integral part of the flagship Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project.
This crucial 132-kilometer pipeline, worth over ₹1,190 crore, traverses through Purba Bardhman, Hooghly, and Nadia districts. The Prime Minister said, “the pipeline provided significant direct and indirect employment during its construction phase and will now facilitate the supply of natural gas to lakhs of households across the region.”
All-round development
In a push for cleaner energy production, PM Modi inaugurated Pollution Control Systems, specifically flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units, at both the Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station of Damodar Valley Corporation.
These systems, developed at a cost of over ₹1,457 crore, are expected to drastically reduce emissions, supporting cleaner energy generation and creating employment opportunities within the region.
For rail infrastructure, PM Modi announced the doubling of the 36-kilometer Purulia – Kotshila Rail Line in Purulia, an investment exceeding ₹390 crore. This project is vital for improving rail connectivity, linking industrial hubs like Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad with Ranchi and Kolkata. It is expected to facilitate more efficient movement of goods trains, reduce travel time, and significantly improve logistics for industries and businesses in the area.
Additionally, he inaugurated two new Road Over Bridges (ROBs) constructed under the Setu Bharatam Programme, totaling over ₹380 crore. Located at Topsi and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman, these ROBs are designed to enhance connectivity and prevent accidents at railway level crossings.
