‘Saw it from Hooghly river’: PM Modi admires Howrah Bridge amid boat ride

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday admired the Howrah Bridge during a boat ride on the river Hooghly. In a post on X, PM Modi reminisced about being on the bridge during the roadshow from Howrah to Kolkata, as part of the election campaign for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls.

“Last evening, was on the Howrah Bridge during the long roadshow from Howrah to Kolkata. And this morning, saw it from the Hooghly river!” PM wrote.

Last evening, was on the Howrah Bridge during the long roadshow from Howrah to Kolkata. And this morning, saw it from the Hooghly river! pic.twitter.com/ri2MA1WbR8

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026

The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to Maa Gang as he started his day at the River Hooghly in Kolkata and met with the boatmen. In a post on X, the PM reflected on the significance of the holy river Ganga, stating that it flows through “the soul of Bengal.” The PM expressed committment to develop the state of West Bengal amid the election season.

He shared pictures of himself in a boat sailing through the waters of the Hooghly. “For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place. One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation. This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly river, an opportunity to express gratitude to Maa Ganga. Also had the opportunity to meet boatmen, whose hardworking nature is admirable and morning walkers. On the Hooghly, reiterated our commitment to work towards the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of the great Bengali people,” he wrote.

The Prime Minister also tried his hand at photography and shared some glimpses from the banks of the Hooghly River, Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge. Sharing the pictures in a separate post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Some more glimpses from the banks of the Hooghly. Tried my hand at photographing this great river. Also caught a close glimpse of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge.”

For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place. One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation.

This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly river, an… pic.twitter.com/I3Y0gsFl3E

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026

Some more glimpses from the banks of the Hooghly.

Tried my hand at photographing this great river. Also caught a close glimpse of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge. pic.twitter.com/S6Nq6r2xOc

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a storm of change is sweeping through Bengal and the way “women and youth of Bengal have opened a front against Trinamool Congress” in today’s first phase of voting is being watched by the entire country.

Addressing an election rally, PM Modi alleged that the ruling TMC has “usurped the rights of the women of Bengal”. PM Modi also addressed a rally in Krishnanagar to boost the BJP’s campaign.

He said there was a voice of change from all sides. “Everyone is saying, ‘Paltano Dorkar’ (change is necessary)… A storm of change is sweeping through Bengal… Exactly ten days later, when the votes are counted, I am confident that the lotus will bloom everywhere,” he said.

“I tell the people of Bengal, especially my first-time voters, that this is the time to overthrow Bengal’s ruthless government. It’s the right time. The presence of mothers and sisters here in such large numbers to bless us all is sure to rob the TMC of its sleep,” he added.

He said Trinamool Congress voted against the Constitution Amendment Bill to tweak women’s reservation and make it effective from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

“TMC voted against it. The TMC usurped the rights of the women of Bengal. Bengal is the land where Durga is worshipped, and the insults to women’s honour that TMC has inflicted here, the atrocities that have been committed against them–your one vote will hold them accountable. Now, we will not tolerate injustice anymore. Enough is enough; they’ve been oppressing for these 15 years. This won’t continue now,” he said.

Meanwhile, the polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.83 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India.

The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)