Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter could not land at the Taherpur helipad in West Bengal on Saturday because of low visibility caused by dense fog, an official told news agency PTI. The chopper hovered over the helipad for some time before making a U-turn and returning to Kolkata airport.
PM Waits at Kolkata Airport for Weather Update
After returning to the airport, the Prime Minister waited for further information on weather conditions. He was scheduled to lay foundation stones and inaugurate National Highway projects at Ranaghat in Nadia district.
Officials said it was unclear whether PM Modi would attempt to reach the venue by road or wait for the fog to clear and try landing again by helicopter.
PM Modi Reached Kolkata Earlier in the Day
Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi arrived in Kolkata at around 10:40 am. From there, he boarded a helicopter to travel to Taherpur in Nadia district, where he was scheduled to attend an administrative programme related to highway projects. He was also supposed to address a BJP rally titled Parivartan Sankalpa Sabha.
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PM Modi Addresses Rally Virtually, Apologises to Crowd
Due to the weather disruption, PM Modi could not reach the rally venue in person. He later addressed the gathering virtually and apologised for not being physically present because of adverse weather conditions.
Rs 3,200 Crore National Highway Projects Announced
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi was to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of two National Highway projects worth around Rs 3,200 crore.
One of the major projects includes the 66.7-km four-laning of the Barajaguli–Krishnanagar section of NH-34 in Nadia district.
Projects to Improve Kolkata–Siliguri Connectivity
The PMO said the highway projects will serve as a vital transport link between Kolkata and Siliguri. They are expected to reduce travel time by nearly two hours, ensure smoother traffic movement, lower vehicle operating costs, and improve connectivity between Kolkata, nearby districts of West Bengal, and neighbouring countries.
PM Modi to Visit Assam After West Bengal Programme
After completing his visit to West Bengal, PM Modi will begin a two-day visit to Assam later on Saturday. During the visit, he will inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport and take a walkthrough of the facility.
