Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled political rally and development project inauguration in West Bengal faced an unexpected hurdle on Saturday. The Prime Minister's visit to Ranaghat in Nadia district was significantly delayed after his helicopter was unable to land at the designated site in Taherpur due to heavy fog.
Logistical Hurdle Due to Weather
PM Modi had arrived at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport around 10:30 am and was supposed to reach Taherpur by 11:15 am. However, poor visibility forced his helicopter to return to Kolkata. This development triggered a high-level security meeting involving officials from the National Security Guard (NSG), the Special Protection Group (SPG), and the state police to chart alternative travel routes for the Prime Minister's convoy by road.
Major Infrastructure Push on the Agenda
Despite the delay, the core agenda for the visit remains the inauguration of critical highway projects valued at ₹3,200 crore. The key projects include:
- The inauguration of a 66.7 km four-lane stretch of the Barajaguli–Krishnanagar section on NH-34.
- The laying of the foundation stone for the four-laning of the 17.6 km Barasat–Barajaguli section of NH-34 in North 24 Parganas district.
These infrastructure developments are poised to serve as a vital link between Kolkata and Siliguri, potentially slashing travel time by nearly two hours. The projects are also expected to boost regional economic growth and tourism.
Political Significance and Matua Community Focus
This visit marks PM Modi's first trip to West Bengal since the commencement of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The political undertone is significant, especially in the Matua belt. According to BJP sources, Modi was expected to directly address members of the Matua community at the Ranaghat rally, a key voter base that has shown anxiety regarding the SIR process.
The BJP's stronghold in the region is evident, having won all 17 Matua-dominated Assembly seats in Nadia and North 24-Parganas in the 2021 elections, along with the Ranaghat and Bongaon Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.
Following the West Bengal engagement, the Prime Minister is scheduled to proceed to Assam for a two-day trip starting December 20.
