The North News
Malda(West Bengal), January 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India’s younger generation believes in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s development agenda, citing the party’s recent success in local elections in Mumbai as evidence of growing support. Addressing a public meeting in Malda, in election-bound West Bengal, Modi referred to the BJP’s performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, describing it as a reflection of Gen Z’s faith in what he called the party’s “development model”. He said the result showed changing voter preferences and expressed confidence that West Bengal would also back the BJP.
The remarks came as the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than ₹3,250 crore in Malda. The projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in eastern and north-eastern India. Modi said the new initiatives marked another step in the modernisation of Indian Railways and would provide fresh momentum to West Bengal’s growth. He added that improved rail services and maintenance facilities would ease travel, boost trade and commerce, and generate employment, particularly for young people.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya). The prime minister said the service represented the future of rail travel in a dev
eloped India, offering greater comfort on long-distance journeys. He described the train as a “Made in India” product and said similar services would be expanded nationwide.
According to officials, the new train is expected to reduce travel time on the route by about two and a half hours and strengthen cultural and economic links between West Bengal and Assam.
Modi also announced four new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting New Jalpaiguri with Nagercoil and Tiruchirappalli, and Alipurduar with Bengaluru and Mumbai. He said the services would enhance connectivity between North Bengal and southern and western India, benefiting pilgrims, students, migrant workers and traders.
Highlighting wider reforms, the prime minister said Indian Railways was becoming modern, electrified and self-reliant, with India now manufacturing and exporting locomotives and coaches. He said improving connectivity and reducing distances remained central to the government’s development agenda.
