States » EastPosted at: Oct 2 2026 11:10PM


Bengal CM Adhikari promises Nandigram rail link within months, one-year deadline for projects

Nandigram, Oct 2 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the long-awaited Nandigram-Bajkul-Deshpran train service would be launched within months, while setting a one-year deadline for completing most pending development projects in the constituency.
Addressing a BJP rally at Birulia market ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-election on Friday, Adhikari said work on the proposed Haldia-Nandigram bridge had also progressed, with soil testing and preparation of estimates completed.
“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.
Adhikari said preparations were underway to introduce the Nandigram-Bajkul-Deshpran train service within the next few months.
“The railways have asked for 80 acres of land of which 74 acres have already been given,” the chief minister said.
He also promised faster execution of projects related to roads, drinking water, irrigation, healthcare, housing and employment.
On drinking water, he said work under the Jal Jeevan Mission had resumed in Nandigram after being held up earlier and that pipe-laying had begun.
He also promised the renovation of the Odisha Coastal Canal and further intervention to improve irrigation and rural infrastructure.
Adhikari highlighted welfare measures introduced since his government took office, including increased old-age, widow and disability pensions, higher PM-Kisan assistance, enhanced housing payments and financial support under the Annapurna scheme.
He said around 13,700 additional beneficiaries in Nandigram were expected to receive houses under the housing scheme.
Those eligible for welfare benefits but left out of existing schemes, he said, would be brought under the respective programmes after verification.
Healthcare was another major focus of his address.
Adhikari said Ayushman Bharat and the state's health insurance arrangements would provide cashless treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh and allow residents to access hospitals outside West Bengal.
He also announced improved food allocations for hospital patients, ICDS children, pregnant women and school students.
A mid-day meal model being implemented 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 said every gram panchayat would have to undertake at least Rs 50 lakh worth of work within six months.
He also referred to the proposed 125-day employment guarantee scheme 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, assuring residents that services previously available to them would continue. UNI BG/SAG NST CDS
Tags: #Bengal CM Adhikari promises Nandigram rail link within months# one-year deadline for projects
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