States » EastPosted at: Oct 3 2026 12:39AM


Bengal CM promises train service, Haldia bridge, piped water & faster welfare delivery within 1 year

Nandigram, Oct 2 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari today promised an accelerated development drive in Nandigram, setting himself a one-year target for completing most of the constituency's pending projects and announcing a string of commitments covering rail connectivity, roads, drinking water, healthcare, housing and employment.
Addressing a BJP rally at Birulia market in Nandigram ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-election, Adhikari said Nandigram would not have to wait for the full five-year Assembly term to see the promised projects take shape.
“The next 55 months are a long time. I will not take that much time. Within a year you will see most of the work completed,” he said.
Among the major announcements was his promise to launch the Nandigram-Bajkul-Deshpran train service within months. He also said preparations for the proposed Haldia-Nandigram bridge had progressed, with soil testing and estimates completed.
Adhikari said the government was also pushing ahead with the Jal Jeevan Mission in the constituency. He alleged that work had earlier been held up and claimed that pipe-laying had now begun.
He promised further intervention in irrigation and rural infrastructure, including renovation of the Odisha Coastal Canal.
The Chief Minister also highlighted welfare measures implemented since his government took office. He cited increases in old-age, widow and disability pensions, higher PM-Kisan assistance, housing payments and financial support under the Annapurna scheme.
He said around 13,700 more beneficiaries in Nandigram were expected to receive houses under the housing scheme, while eligible beneficiaries left out of welfare schemes would be brought under the respective programmes after verification.
Healthcare was another major focus. Adhikari claimed that Ayushman Bharat and the state's health insurance arrangements would provide cashless treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh and said patients would be able to access hospitals outside West Bengal.
He also announced improvements in food allocations for hospital patients, ICDS children, pregnant women and school students.
A new mid-day meal model operated with ISKCON, supplemented by boiled eggs supplied through self-help groups, would be extended to all 17 areas of Nandigram after the election, he said.
On employment, Adhikari urged residents to obtain new job cards and claimed that each gram panchayat would have to undertake a minimum of Rs 50 lakh worth of work within six months. He also referred to a proposed 125-day employment guarantee and a daily wage of Rs 300.
He further promised that Nandigram would benefit from schemes including crop insurance and the PM Surya Ghar programme.
Adhikari said his administrative offices in Nandigram would continue functioning even after he vacated the Assembly seat.
“Leave it to me,” he told the gathering, promising that the services previously available to residents would continue. UNI BG NST SS
Tags: #Bengal CM promises train service# Haldia bridge# piped water & faster welfare delivery within 1 year
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