Mumbai, July 23 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for rail and road projects worth Rs 54.7 billion (Rs 54.7 bn) during a visit to Punjab, with the main event at Jalandhar Cantonment railway station. Officials said the works aim to enhance connectivity, improve passenger amenities and boost regional economic development. The visit precedes the 2027 state assembly contest.
A major component is the inauguration of 75 redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, redeveloped at about Rs 15.7 bn to modernise amenities and reflect local heritage under the theme Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi. The four Punjab stations are Jalandhar Cantonment, S A S Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli rail line, built at roughly Rs 8.3 bn as part of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian project, is expected to strengthen links with Himachal Pradesh and improve access to pilgrimage sites.
The Prime Minister will flag off the Kartoli-Ambala train and inaugurate the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi service to improve intercity links. Road investments exceed Rs 30.7 bn and include the 30.9-km Package-6 of the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, which officials said will ease heavy vehicle movement. He will also lay the foundation stone for the 25.2-km six-lane Southern Ludhiana Bypass to reduce travel time and enhance industrial connectivity.
In Chandigarh, projects worth about Rs 47.0 bn include new advanced mother and child and neurosciences centres at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; the 300-bed mother and child centre and a 150-bed critical care block will strengthen regional healthcare. Security was tightened and Jalandhar was declared a no-flying zone for the visit. Officials said combined launches and foundation laying in Chandigarh and Punjab total over Rs 100.0 bn, focusing on connectivity, transport modernisation and health services.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.