Overview
- From Malda Town, the prime minister launched India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper service between Howrah and Guwahati, cutting travel time by about 2.5 hours.
- He dedicated and laid foundations for rail and road works worth roughly Rs 3,250 crore, including four Amrit Bharat Express services and rehabilitation of the Dhupguri–Falakata stretch of NH‑31D.
- Rail projects announced in West Bengal include the new Balurghat–Hili line, a next‑generation freight maintenance facility at New Jalpaiguri, an upgrade of the Siliguri Loco Shed, and electrification of New Cooch Behar–Bamanhat and New Cooch Behar–Boxirhat sections.
- At a Malda rally, Modi accused the TMC of enabling infiltration, promised “big action” if the BJP forms the state government, and reassured the Matua community of protection under the CAA.
- After witnessing a large Bagurumba performance in Guwahati, he is scheduled on January 18 to conduct bhoomi pujan for the Rs 6,950‑crore Kaziranga elevated corridor and to flag off additional Amrit Bharat trains in Assam.