On Saturday, January 17, 2026, and Sunday, January 18, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to West Bengal and Assam.
During his visit, he will launch India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati, lay the foundation stone for several development projects in the two states that will be polled, and conduct bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project.
According to an official release, the prime minister will travel to Malda, West Bengal, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 12:45 p.m., to launch India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train, which will connect Howrah with Guwahati (Kamakhya), at the Malda town railway station.
At a public event in Malda at 1.45 p.m., he will commit himself to the country and lay the foundation stone for many road and rail infrastructure projects totaling over ₹3,250 crore.
At approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Mr. Modi will officially open and lay the foundation stone for a number of development projects in Singur, Hooghly district, totaling over ₹830 crore.
Later this year, assembly elections will be held in West Bengal and Assam. Four new Amrit Bharat Express trains the New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express, the New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express, the Alipurduar-SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express, and the Alipurduar-Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express will also be virtually inaugurated by the prime minister.
This will improve long-distance train connectivity that is dependable and reasonably priced. According to the statement, these services would promote interstate economic and social ties while meeting the mobility needs of common citizens, students, migrant workers, and traders.
Additionally, Mr. Modi will launch the Radhikapur-SMVT Bengaluru Express and Balurghat-SMVT Bengaluru Express, two new train services utilizing LHB carriages.
These trains will give young people, students, and IT workers in the area direct, secure, and comfortable access to important IT and job hubs like Bengaluru.
The rehabilitation and four-laning of the Dhupguri-Falakata segment of National Highway-31D, a crucial road project that will enhance regional road connectivity and enable more efficient movement of people and products in north Bengal, will have its foundation stone laid by the prime minister.
These initiatives will be crucial in constructing contemporary infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, solidifying the eastern and northeastern areas as the country's main growth engines.
The new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, the next-generation freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, the renovation of the Siliguri Loco Shed, and the modernization of the Vande Bharat train maintenance facilities in Jalpaiguri district are the four major railway projects in West Bengal for which the prime minister will lay the foundation stone.
In order to enable quicker, greener, and more energy-efficient train operations, he will dedicate the electrification of the rail lines between New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat to the country.
PM Modi will take part in the traditional Bodo cultural event "Bagurumba Dwhou 2026" at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on January 17 at approximately 6 p.m. According to the statement, it will be a significant cultural event honoring the Bodo community's rich past.
The Bagurumba dance will be performed by over 10,000 Bodo artists in a single, coordinated performance on this occasion. The event will feature artists from 23 districts throughout the state, representing 81 legislative assembly constituencies.
One of the Bodo community's traditional dances, bagurumba, is greatly influenced by the natural world. The dance represents harmony between human existence and the natural environment and is symbolic of blossoming flowers.
At approximately 11 a.m. on January 18, Mr. Modi will inaugurate two new Amrit Bharat Express trains at Kaliabor in the Nagaon district and conduct bhoomi pujan for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project, which is valued at over ₹6,950 crore.
An environmentally aware national highway project is the 86-kilometer elevated route. It will include a 21-kilometer bypass, a 30-kilometer widening of the current NH-715 highway segment from two to four lanes, and a 35-kilometer elevated wildlife corridor that will cross Kaziranga National Park. The project intends to safeguard the park's abundant biodiversity while enhancing regional connections.
The project will greatly enhance connectivity to Upper Assam, especially Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, passing through the districts of Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, and Golaghat.
The elevated wildlife corridor will guarantee animals' unhindered mobility and lessen friction between humans and wildlife. Additionally, it will support increasing passenger and freight traffic, improve road safety, and lower travel times and accident rates.
Bypasses will be built at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat as part of the project, which will serve to increase urban mobility, decongest communities, and improve the quality of life for locals.
Two new Amrit Bharat Express trains, the Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and the Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express, will also be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi during the event.
People will be able to travel more safely and conveniently thanks to these new train services, which will improve rail connectivity between northeastern and northern India.
