The Aryavarth Express Guwahati, March 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated several development initiatives worth more than ₹4,570 crore in Assam and flagged off three new train services to enhance connectivity in Kokrajhar and across the North-East region.
The newly introduced train services include the Kamakhya–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, Guwahati–New Jalpaiguri Express, and Narangi–Agartala Express. These trains aim to strengthen regional and inter-state connectivity. The Kamakhya–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express will establish direct rail links between the North-East and southern India, while the Guwahati–New Jalpaiguri Express will improve travel between Assam and West Bengal. The Narangi–Agartala Express is expected to boost connectivity between Assam and Tripura, benefiting passengers, traders, and tourists.
The Prime Minister, currently on a two-day visit to Assam ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, addressed the programme virtually from Guwahati after adverse weather prevented him from traveling to Kokrajhar.
During the event, he performed Bhoomi Poojan and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects. These initiatives are expected to ease traffic congestion in Kokrajhar district, located in the Bodoland Territorial Region, and improve connectivity, tourism, agricultural access, healthcare services, and rural mobility.
Among the key projects, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a Periodic Overhauling (POH) Workshop at Bashbari in Kokrajhar district. The workshop is expected to strengthen railway maintenance infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and generate employment opportunities in the region.
He also virtually launched Assam Mala 3.0, a major road infrastructure programme worth over ₹3,200 crore. The initiative aims to construct more than 900 kilometres of roads across the state to improve inter-state connectivity and strengthen links between national highways and rural roads.
Additionally, Bhoomi Poojan was performed for six road infrastructure projects in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area, including four flyovers and two bridges, with an estimated investment of around ₹1,100 crore.
On March 14, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Silchar, where he will perform Bhoomi Poojan and dedicate projects worth approximately ₹23,550 crore to the nation.
Assembly elections in Assam are expected next month, with the ruling BJP preparing to seek a third consecutive term in the state.
