New Delhi, Dec 29 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in West Bengal on December 30 to launch development projects worth over Rs 7,800 crore in the state.

On Friday, the prime minister will fag off the Vande Bharat Express connecting Howrah and New Jalpaiguri. He will also inaugurate Joka-Taratala stretch of Purple Line of Kolkata Metro and lay the foundation for various Railway projects.

Multiple sewerage infrastructure projects worth over Rs 900 crore will also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister during his visit. He will also lay the foundation stone for 5 sewerage infrastructure projects under National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) at an estimated cost of Rs 1585 crore.

Modi will also chair the second meeting of the National Ganga Council in Kolkata.

The meeting will be attended by Union Minister for Jal Shakti, other Union Ministers who are members of the council and Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

A National Institute of Water and Sanitation (DSPM – NIWAS), which has been developed at Joka, Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata at an estimated cost of around Rs 100 Crore will also be inaugurated.

The Institute will serve as an apex body in the country on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the country, serving as a hub of information and knowledge for Central, State and local governments.  (KNN Bureau)