The BJP sought to play the development card to draw votes in north Bengal as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a slew of infrastructural projects here on Saturday.

“We inaugurated projects worth Rs 4,500 crore in north Bengal today (Saturday). In the past 10 years, we increased the speed of trains moving through this region and in the next five years, connectivity in north Bengal will reach a height,” Modi said while speaking at a government programme held on Kawakhali ground in Siliguri.

“Earlier, the total budget outlay for railways was around Rs 4,000 crore. We have increased it to Rs 14,000 crore. The NH27, which is moving through north Bengal, will boost tourism and other economic activities,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister inaugurated multiple electrification projects which were carried out on 438.77km-long railway tracks in north Bengal and adjoining Bihar.

The sections which were electrified included Eklakhi-Balurghat, Barsoi–Radhikapur, Raninagar-Jalpaiguri-Haldibari, Siliguri-Aluabari via Bagdogra and Siliguri-Sevoke-Alipurduar Junction.

“He also flagged off a new passenger train between Siliguri and Radhikapur (in North Dinajpur),” said an official of the Northeast Frontier Railway.

Along with the railways, Modi also inaugurated the new Islampur Bypass and the Ghoshpukur-Dhupguri section of NH27 that connects Gujarat with Assam.

Political observers pointed out that the BJP intends to highlight the infrastructural works which it has carried out in north Bengal to garner support. This is because there is discontentment among people of different communities like Gorkhas and Rajbanshis as the Centre has not met their old demands, despite making assurances.