New Delhi [India], August 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of his visit to West Bengal, stating that public anger against the ruling party is growing and the people of the state are increasingly looking towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with hope.
In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote, "I am eager to be among @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas at a rally in Kolkata. With each passing day, public anger against the TMC is increasing. West Bengal is eagerly looking towards the BJP with hope because of our development agenda."
Highlighting the focus of his visit, PM Modi said the programmes in Kolkata would primarily centre around enhancing connectivity.
"It is always a delight to be among the people of Kolkata, a city whose development we are greatly committed to. Tomorrow's programmes in the city are mainly focused on connectivity. The metro services, which will be flagged off, include Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar, Sealdah-Esplanade and Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay routes. Connectivity to and from the airport as well as the IT hub areas will be enhanced," he added.
PM Modi will be visiting West Bengal and Bihar on August 22. During his visit to West Bengal, the Prime Minister will inaugurate metro railway projects in Kolkata on August 22 at around 4.15 pm. A 13.61 km-long newly constructed metro network will be inaugurated, and metro services will be launched on these routes.
The Prime Minister will also undertake a metro ride from Jessore Road Metro Station to Jai Hind Bimanbandar and back.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Modi will visit the Jessore Road Metro Station, where he will flag off the Noapara - Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service from Jessore Road. In addition, through video conferencing, he will also flag off the Sealdah-Esplanade metro service and the Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro service. He will also undertake a metro ride from Jessore Road Metro Station to Jai Hind Bimanbandar and back.
At the public function, the Prime Minister will inaugurate these metro sections and a newly constructed subway at Howrah Metro Station.
The Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service will significantly improve access to the airport. The Sealdah-Esplanade metro will reduce the travel time between the two points from nearly 40 minutes to only 11 minutes. The Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro section will play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity with the IT hub.
These metro routes will connect some of Kolkata's busiest areas, bring a notable reduction in travel time, and strengthen multimodal connectivity, benefiting lakhs of daily commuters.
In a major boost to road infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the 7.2 km-long six-lane elevated Kona Expressway worth over Rs 1,200 crore. It will enhance connectivity between Howrah, the surrounding rural areas, and Kolkata, saving hours of travel time and giving a significant boost to trade, commerce, and tourism in the region.
The Prime Minister will also address a public gathering on the occasion.