Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a two-day whirlwind tour of Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh today with the objective of inaugurating and laying foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹70,000 crore. This major outreach reflects the government's zeal towards infrastructure development and regional development in the run-up to elections.

PM Modi could not attend the 50th-anniversary day celebrations of Sikkim's statehood in person due to unfavorable weather conditions. Instead, he spoke at the "Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth" event through video conference from Bagdogra. He laid the foundation stones for some of the major projects during the virtual speech, such as a ₹750 crore, 500-bed district hospital in Namchi and a passenger ropeway in Gyalshing district.

Moreover, he also dedicated a statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Gangtok and issued commemorative coins and stamps on the occasion. In Alipurduar, West Bengal, PM Modi inaugurated a ₹1,010 crore City Gas Distribution (CGD) project with the laying of the foundation stone. The project is intended to distribute piped natural gas to more than 2.5 lakh homes and over 100 commercial units and set up 19 CNG fuel stations for transportation. The project is expected to create job opportunities and encourage clean energy consumption in the area.

In the late evening, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Patna Airport's newly built terminal building. The modern facility has been planned for a higher volume of passengers and better connectivity. Post-inauguration, PM Modi will address a roadshow from Sheikhpura Mor to Income Tax Golambar in Patna, a major political interaction before the coming elections.

PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects worth around ₹20,900 crore in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on May 30. These projects span across various sectors including urban development, transport, and energy to build the infrastructure and economy of the state.

The two-day tour illustrates the government's focus on accelerating development in different areas with huge investments in healthcare, power, transport, and urban infrastructure. The proposals can enhance the standard of living among residents and propel economic growth in the concerned states.