(Forelines) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the cornerstone of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in West Bengal’s Alipurduarl, marking a major move in the expansion of the CGD network in India. Speaking before the assembly from the ancient city of Alipurduar, he greeted the residents of West Bengal.
PM Modi emphasized the region’s rich cultural significance, stressing that its boundaries are not the only things that define it; its longstanding customs and ties also play a significant role.
“Assam greets it on the other side, flanked by the natural beauty of Jalpaiguri and the pride of Cooch Behar as intrinsic components of the area,” PM Modi said in a speech, referring to Alipurduar’s shared boundary with Bhutan.
PM Modi Further emphasized the importance of this affluent region to Bengal’s unity and legacy while expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to visit.
“when India is moving towards becoming a developed nation, Bengal’s participation is both expected and essential,” emphasized PM Narendra Modi, highlighting the Central government’s ongoing efforts to accelerate infrastructure, innovation, and investment in the region.
“India’s future is built on the development of Bengal,” Prime Minister Modi declared, adding that today marks yet another significant turning point in that process.
More than 2.5 lakh families will have access to clean, safe, and reasonably priced piped gas thanks to the City Gas Distribution Project, which PM Modi announced was being launched in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.
PM Modi added that this action will eliminate the need to buy LPG cylinders, guaranteeing people a safe gas supply. Additionally, the expansion of CNG stations will make green fuel accessible, which will save money, save time, and improve the environment.
PM Modi thanked the residents of Cooch Behar and Alipurduar on their new beginning.
“This city gas distribution project is not simply a pipeline project; it is also an example of government projects being delivered to people’s doorsteps,” PM Modi stated.
“The progress that India has made in the field of energy in the last few years is unprecedented. Today our country is moving rapidly towards a gas-based economy. Before 2014, 66 districts of the country had city gas facilities. Today, the city gas distribution network has reached more than 550 districts. This network is now reaching our villages and small towns. Lakhs of homes are getting gas through pipes. Public transport has also changed due to CNG. This is reducing pollution. That means, the health of the countrymen is improving and the burden on their pockets is also reducing,” PM Modi added in a speech.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which was implemented in 2016, has significantly improved the lives of millions of poor women by removing them from smoke-filled kitchens, improving their health, and fostering dignity in places used for domestic cooking, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed. Modi further stated that the plan has accelerated India’s transition to a gas-based economy.
PM Modi also noted that the country’s LPG connections have increased from less than 14 crore in 2014 to over 31 crore now, realizing the goal of universal gas access.
PM Modi emphasized that in order to guarantee that gas is distributed throughout the nation, the government has reinforced the system.
PM Narendra Modi further stated that there are now over 25,000 LPG distributors in India, more than double the number that existed before to 2014. before to 2014, there were less than 14,000 LPG distributors in the country. He stressed that gas cylinders are now widely accessible, especially in remote regions, enabling households all throughout the country to have access to clean cooking fuel.
“All of you are also familiar with the Urja Ganga Project. This project is a revolutionary step towards a gas-based economy. Under this scheme, work is being done to connect gas pipelines to the states of eastern India. Now gas is reaching many states of eastern India including West Bengal through pipes. All these efforts of the Government of India have created new employment opportunities, be it in cities or villages. Employment has increased at every level, from laying pipelines to supply of gas. Gas-based industries have also got a boost from this. Now we are moving towards an India where energy is cheap, clean, and accessible to all,’ PM Modi said.
Narendra Modi emphasized that Bengal’s development is essential to achieving the goal of a developed India, citing West Bengal as a key hub for Indian culture, knowledge, and technological breakthroughs.
According to him, the Central government has started development projects totaling hundreds of crores over the past ten years in response to this. He highlighted key infrastructure projects like the Purva and Durgapur expressways, the modernization of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port, the expansion of Kolkata Metro, the refurbishment of New Jalpaiguri Station, the addition of new trains on the Dooars route, and more as ways to accelerate Bengal’s development.
“The project that has started today is not just a pipeline; it is the lifeline of progress. It is our endeavour to make your life easy and your future bright. With the hope that our Bengal should move rapidly towards development, once again, I extend my best wishes for all these facilities. Now after 5 minutes, I am going to an open platform from here. You would want to hear many things from me, that platform is more suitable, so I will tell you the rest of the things after 5 minutes. This is enough in this programme, you should take this journey of development forward with zeal and enthusiasm,” said PM Narendra Modi.