Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to West Bengal and Assam on December 20 and 21, during which he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for major infrastructure projects worth over ₹18,800 crore. The visit underscores the Centre’s focus on improving connectivity, boosting regional development, and strengthening agriculture and industry in eastern and northeastern India.
National Highway Push in West Bengal
On December 20, the Prime Minister will visit Ranaghat in West Bengal’s Nadia district, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for two National Highway projects with a combined investment of around ₹3,200 crore.
He will inaugurate a 66.7-kilometre-long four-lane stretch of National Highway-34 between Barajaguli and Krishnanagar in Nadia district. In addition, he will lay the foundation stone for a 17.6-kilometre-long four-lane section of NH-34 between Barasat and Barajaguli in North 24 Parganas district.
These highway projects are expected to significantly strengthen the Kolkata–Siliguri corridor, a vital arterial route for trade and travel. According to official estimates, the upgraded stretches will reduce travel time by nearly two hours, ensure smoother traffic flow, lower vehicle operating costs, and enhance connectivity not only within West Bengal but also with neighbouring states and countries. Improved road infrastructure is also expected to support tourism and local economic activity across the region.
Assam Visit: Airport, Memorial and Fertiliser Project
Later on December 20, the Prime Minister will arrive in Guwahati, Assam, where he will inaugurate the new terminal building at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. The next day, December 21, his programme includes paying tribute at the Shahid Smarak in Boragaon and laying the foundation stone for a major fertiliser project in Namrup, Dibrugarh district.
The newly inaugurated airport terminal, spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, has been designed to handle 1.3 crore passengers annually. Inspired by Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage, the terminal follows a “Bamboo Garden” theme and extensively uses locally sourced bamboo. It features design elements reflecting Kaziranga’s landscapes, traditional motifs such as the jaapi, and an “Aakash Van” with nearly one lakh indigenous plants, offering passengers a distinctive nature-inspired experience.
The terminal is also equipped with modern, technology-driven facilities, including DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, full-body scanners, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration, and AI-supported airport operations aimed at improving efficiency and passenger convenience.
Fertiliser Project to Boost Agriculture and Jobs
On December 21, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the brownfield ammonia-urea fertiliser project of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited at Namrup. The project involves an estimated investment of over ₹10,600 crore and is expected to play a critical role in meeting the fertiliser requirements of Assam and neighbouring states.
The initiative is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on fertiliser imports, strengthening farmer support systems, generating employment, and accelerating industrial revival in the region. Officials have described the project as a key step towards long-term agricultural sustainability and regional economic growth.
