PM Modi in Bengal, Bihar: Launches Defence Meet in Kolkata, Unveils ₹36,000 Cr Projects in Bihar:

Kolkata/Purnea – Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a high-profile two-state visit on Monday, covering key engagements in West Bengal and Bihar. The visit underscores the Centre’s push for defence preparedness and development outreach in poll-bound regions. Defence Focus in Kolkata: Combined Commanders’ Conference Inaugurated Kicking off the day in Kolkata, PM Modi arrived at Fort William, the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, to inaugurate the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC)—a biennial high-level gathering of India’s top military and civilian leadership. The CCC is a strategic forum where India’s defence and security landscape is reviewed in depth, focusing on operational readiness, jointness among services, and future warfare strategies. Senior defence officials, including Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with senior bureaucrats from the Ministry of Defence, participated in the event. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister wrote on Sunday night: “I have arrived in Kolkata after the programs in Assam, where tomorrow I will have the opportunity to participate in the Combined Commanders’ Conference. After that, I will go to Purnia in Bihar to inaugurate multiple development projects.” Traffic Curbs in Kolkata During PM's Visit In light of the PM’s visit, Kolkata Police imposed traffic and parking restrictions on major roads from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM on Monday, causing diversions for goods vehicles across key routes in the city. The restrictions were also enforced partially on Sunday evening. Massive Development Push in Bihar: ₹36,000 Cr Projects Inaugurated Following his engagement in Kolkata, Prime Minister Modi flew to Purnea in Bihar’s Seemanchal region, a politically significant area where the BJP has traditionally faced electoral challenges. His visit marks a substantial investment announcement, with projects worth ₹36,000 crore being inaugurated across sectors such as agriculture, railways, energy, and women’s empowerment. Among the biggest announcements was the launch of a thermal power project in Bhagalpur worth ₹25,000 crore. The project is expected to enhance energy availability and boost industrial potential in the region. Additionally, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vikramshila-Kataria railway line (₹2,170 crore) and virtually inaugurated the Araria-Galgalia rail project (₹4,410 crore)—a crucial move to improve connectivity in north-eastern Bihar. Boost to Women and Housing Schemes A key highlight of the Bihar leg of the visit was PM Modi’s focus on Labharthi (beneficiary-centric) welfare schemes. He distributed house keys to 40,920 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). These homes were constructed at a cost of ₹603 crore, aimed at improving housing for the underprivileged. In a major move to empower rural women, the PM also released a ₹500 crore Community Investment Fund under the DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission), benefiting thousands of self-help groups (SHGs) and women-led federations across Bihar. Launch of National Makhana Board The PM’s visit also included the official launch of the National Makhana Board—a long-awaited initiative to boost the makhana (fox nut) industry, which is central to Bihar’s agri-economy. The move is expected to aid farmers and promote exports of the high-nutrition product.

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