Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored the pivotal role of West Bengal in India’s vision of becoming a developed nation, saying that the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ cannot be realised without the progress of the state.
Addressing a large public gathering in Alipurduar, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts.
Highlighting Bengal’s strategic and cultural importance, PM Modi said, “The land of Alipurduar is connected not just by borders but by cultures. On one side lies Bhutan, and on the other, Assam. One side carries the heritage of Jalpaiguri, while the other reflects the pride of Cooch Behar. It is an honour to be among you in this prosperous region.”
He emphasised that the Centre is accelerating innovation and development across West Bengal through a series of infrastructure projects. “As India advances towards becoming a Viksit Rashtra, Bengal’s partnership is both necessary and valuable. With this in mind, the central government is driving forward innovation, infrastructure, and development in the state,” he said.
Inaugurating the CGD projects, PM Modi said, “The development of Bengal forms the foundation of India’s future, and today’s launch strengthens that foundation. The City Gas Distribution project will provide safe, reliable, and affordable gas pipelines to over 2.5 lakh homes, reducing dependence on LPG cylinders.”
Describing the CGD initiative as a milestone in energy accessibility, he added, “This is not just a pipeline project—it exemplifies the government’s commitment to delivering schemes to the doorstep of the people. India has made unprecedented progress in the energy sector in recent years and is now moving towards a gas-based economy.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s achievements in expanding access to clean energy. “In 2014, there were fewer than 14 crore LPG connections across the country. Today, that number has crossed 31 crore. The dream of reaching every household with gas is being realised. We’ve also expanded the LPG distribution network, increasing the number of centres from under 14,000 in 2014 to over 25,000 today, making gas accessible even in remote villages,” he said.
PM Modi also acknowledged Bengal’s historic contribution to India’s intellectual and scientific progress. “West Bengal has long been a centre of knowledge and science in Indian culture. A developed India cannot be imagined without the development of Bengal. Keeping this in focus, the central government has invested thousands of crores in the state over the last decade.”