"After independence, development of Eastern India was ignored for long time": PM Modi

Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], March 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that after independence, the development of Eastern India was ignored for a long time whereas his government considers it as the growth engine of the country's development.
Addressing a gathering here today, PM Modi asserted that before 2014, the average railway budget of Bengal was around Rs 4,000 crore which has now reached almost Rs 14,000 crore.
"After independence, the development of Eastern India was ignored for a long time. Whereas our government considers Eastern India as the growth engine of the country's development. Therefore, unprecedented investment is being made in the connectivity sector in this area. Before 2014, the average railway budget of Bengal was around Rs 4,000 crore which has now reached almost Rs 14,000 crore. Siliguri is also among the 500 stations that are being renovated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme," he said.
"Today, two road projects costing more than Rs 3,000 crore have been inaugurated in North Bengal. This will reduce the problem of traffic jams. Tourism, industry and tea farmers in this entire area will also benefit. The Central Government is making every possible effort from its side for the development of West Bengal," he added.
PM Modi flagged off the Siliguri-Radhikapur train virtually and asserted that the effort of our government is to increase the speed of trains in North Bengal in the same way as it is being increased in the entire country.
Further, the Prime Minister mentioned that there was a time when the speed of the train slowed down as we moved towards the Northeast. But our government's effort is to increase the speed of trains in North Bengal like it is in the entire country.
"Now rail connectivity from North Bengal to Bangladesh has started. Mithali Express is running from New Jalpaiguri to Dhaka Cantonment. In collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, we are increasing connectivity up to Radhikapur station. The strengthening of this network will strengthen the economy of both the countries," PM Modi said.
PM Modi emphasized that North Bengal is a gateway from where trade routes with neighbouring countries pass.
"That is why the development of Bengal and especially North Bengal has been the priority of our government in these 10 years. Today the work of electrification of rail lines between many places has been completed. This will increase the speed of trains in many places. With this, the surrounding forests and wild animals will also be protected from pollution," he said.