PM Modi to Inaugurate ₹5,000 Crore Projects, Target TMC at Durgapur Rally Today
Durgapur, West Bengal — July 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the industrial township of Durgapur in West Bengal’s West Burdwan district today, where he will inaugurate a series of Central government projects worth over ₹5,000 crore and address a politically charged public rally against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The visit, which combines both administrative and political objectives, is being viewed as a major pre-election push by the BJP in a state where it aims to expand its base ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Two-Part Program: Development & Politics
According to the official schedule, PM Modi will land at Andal Airport at approximately 2:35 p.m., from where he will proceed directly to the rally venue. Two distinct stages have been set up — one for the administrative segment and another for the political rally.
The administrative programme is scheduled to run from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., during which the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several key infrastructure projects spanning oil and gas, power, railways, and roads.
Following this, the political event is set to begin at 3:45 p.m., where PM Modi is expected to launch a blistering attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government. He will depart for Delhi by flight from Andal Airport at 5:00 p.m.
Modi's Pre-Rally Message: Development & Critique of TMC
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday evening, PM Modi outlined the dual purpose of his visit.
"Looking forward to being among the people of West Bengal tomorrow, July 18. At a programme in Durgapur, will lay the foundation stones for various works and also inaugurate projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore. The projects cover sectors like oil and gas, power, railways, roads," he posted.
In a separate post, he took a clear political swipe at the West Bengal government, indicating the aggressive tone of his upcoming speech.
“West Bengal is suffering due to TMC misrule. People are seeing the BJP with hope and are convinced that only the BJP can deliver on development. Tomorrow, July 18, will be addressing a @BJPBengal rally in Durgapur. Do join!” the Prime Minister said.
High-Stakes Political Messaging
With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections fresh in memory and Assembly elections just over a year away, political analysts see this visit as a strategic effort to reignite BJP’s momentum in West Bengal, where it made substantial gains in 2019 but fell short of expectations in the 2021 state polls.
Sources within the BJP said PM Modi’s speech will focus on issues like:
- Alleged corruption and misgovernance by the TMC government.
- Obstruction of Central schemes by the state administration.
- The need for a “double-engine government” — a term often used by Modi to refer to having the same party in power at both the Centre and the state for seamless development.
Key Projects to Be Inaugurated
While exact project details are expected to be unveiled during the event, it is confirmed that the ₹5,000 crore investment spans multiple sectors:
- Oil & Gas Infrastructure: Expansion of pipelines and storage units.
- Power Projects: Modernization of existing grids and electrification in rural areas.
- Railways: New lines, station upgrades, and safety systems.
- Road Connectivity: National and state highways linking industrial clusters in South Bengal.
These projects are expected to boost employment, logistics, and energy infrastructure in the region, which has long demanded greater Central attention.
TMC’s Response
Though the state government has not yet issued an official reaction to the Prime Minister’s remarks, senior TMC leaders have accused the BJP of using development as a political tool and misleading people with half-complete or repackaged projects.
Speaking informally to reporters, a senior TMC leader said, “Every time elections come close, BJP suddenly remembers Bengal. The PM should explain why promised funds for MNREGA and rural housing were frozen for political vendetta.”
Security Arrangements Tightened
Given the scale and sensitivity of the event, West Bengal Police, CRPF, and SPG have deployed tight security measures in and around the Andal Airport and the Durgapur venue. Barricading, anti-sabotage checks, and traffic diversions are already in place.
Public Expectations High
Locals in Durgapur and the surrounding industrial belt are anticipating announcements that could revive regional economic growth. The region, once known as the "Ruhr of India" for its heavy industry base, has faced stagnation in recent years.
A resident and industrial worker, Ramesh Sahu, told TheTrendingPeople.com, “We want real development, not just political speeches. If new factories or power plants come, that would help our youth the most.”
Conclusion
As PM Modi lands in West Bengal today, all eyes are on Durgapur — not just for the Central investment it’s set to receive, but for the political message that will resonate across the state. With both developmental and electoral stakes high, the visit marks another critical moment in BJP’s ongoing campaign to expand its footprint in a politically crucial state.