Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi undertook a two-day visit on 29th and 30th May 2025 to Sikkim, West Bengal (WB), Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh (UP), where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for major development projects,
- During the visit, PM Narendra Modi also addressed the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan via videoconferencing, calling it a major step towards strengthening agriculture and supporting farmers.
Highlights of the visit to Sikkim:
On 29th May 2025, PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Sikkim featured important events celebrating the state’s 50 years of progress and achievements including the inauguration and foundation laying of several key development projects.
PM Modi Addresses ‘Sikkim@50’ Celebrating Five Decades of Statehood:
PM Narendra Modi virtually addressed the ‘Sikkim@50’ celebrations, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood(May 16) via videoconferencing, celebrating the state’s journey and achievements over the past five decades.
- The theme of the ‘Sikkim@50’ programme was ‘Where Progress Meets Purpose, and Nature Nurtures Growth.
i.To mark the occasion, he also released a Rs 50 commemorative coin, a souvenir coin, and a postage stamp celebrating Sikkim’s golden jubilee.
ii.Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister (CM) of Sikkim and Om Prakash Mathur,Governor of Sikkim officially unveiled these during a ceremony held at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, Sikkim.
iii.The ‘Sikkim@50’ celebrations are part of a year-long series of events under the theme “Sunaulo, Samriddha, and Samarth Sikkim” (Golden, Prosperous, and Capable Sikkim).
Inauguration of Key Development Projects:
He virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several important projects in Sikkim, including a Rs 750 crore, 500-bed District Hospital in Namchi, Sikkim; a Passenger Ropeway in Pelling, Sikkim and a statue of Former PM of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan in Gangtok.
Highlights of the visit to WB:
During his visit to WB, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for key energy projects to improve clean and reliable gas supply in the region.
Inauguration of CGP to Boost Clean Energy Access:
He laid the foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts of WB, which includes an investment of over Rs 1,010 crore in Alipurduar to supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to more than 2.5 lakh homes and over 100 commercial establishments and industries.
- This effort is part of the larger national plan, as the CGD network now covers over 550 districts across India.
- Additionally, the project plans to establish approximately 19 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations to cater to vehicular needs, aligning with the government’s Minimum Work Program(MWP) targets.
Highlights of the visit to Bihar:
New Airport Projects:
During his visit to Bihar, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, Bihar and laid the foundation stone for a new Civil Enclave at Bihta Air Force Station, approximately 35 kilometres (km) from Patna.
- The new terminal in Patna, built at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore, covers an area of over 65,000 square metres (sqm) and can handle up to 1 crore passengers every year.
- At Bihta, a new terminal building is planned, covering 68,000 sqm, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,410 crore.
Key Projects:
During his visit to Bihar, PM Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone, and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat, Bihar related to power, road, and rail infrastructure.
i.He laid the foundation stone for the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-II (3×800 Megawatt, MW), in Aurangabad district of Bihar at a cost of over Rs 29,930 crore, aiming to boost energy supply in Bihar and eastern India.
ii.He also launched several important highway projects worth around Rs 5,520 crore to improve road infrastructure and connectivity.
- These include the four-laning of the Patna–Arrah–Sasaram section of National Highway (NH)-119A, six-laning of the Varanasi–Ranchi–Kolkata highway (NH-319B), the Ramnagar–Kacchi Dargah stretch (NH-119D), and the construction of a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli.
iii.He also dedicated the third rail line between Son Nagar and Mohammad Ganj, built at a cost of over Rs 1,330 crore, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s rail network.
Highlights of the visit to UP:
During his visit to UP, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 15 major development projects worth about Rs 47,600 crore in Kanpur, UP.
Key Projects in UP:
i.He inaugurated the Chunniganj to Kanpur Central Metro section worth over Rs.2,120 crore, featuring 14 stations including five underground stops:
Chunniganj, Bada Chauraha, Naveen Market, Nayaganj, and Kanpur Central.
- In addition, two new railway bridges connecting the Panki power plant to Kalyanpur, UP were opened.
ii.To enhance power capacity, PM laid the foundation for a 220 kilovolt(kV) substation at Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), Gautam Buddh Nagar and inaugurate 132 kV substations in Greater Noida(UP) worth over Rs.320 crore.
iii.He inaugurated the 660 MW Panki Thermal Power Extension (Rs.8,300 crore) and three 660 MW units of Ghatampur Thermal Power Project (Rs.9,330 crore).
iv.He also inaugurated a 40 million litres per day (MLD) tertiary sewage treatment plant at Bingawan in Kanpur, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs.290 crore.
v.He laid the foundation stone for the widening and strengthening of Gauria Pali Marg to support industrial development in Kanpur Nagar district of UP.
About Sikkim:
Chief Minister(CM)-Prem Singh Tamang
Governor-Om Prakash Mathur
Capital – Gangtok
Airport – Pakyong Airport
