Chandigarh, July 16 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,470 crore during his Punjab visit on July 17, officials said on Thursday, adding that the scheduled event will take place in Jalandhar.
The projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving passenger convenience and accelerating economic development in the region.
This will be PM Modi's second visit to Jalandhar after he visited the Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February this year.
PM Modi's visit assumes significance as the BJP is preparing to fight the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls on its own.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav visited the Jalandhar Cantonment railway station on Thursday to review security arrangements. The district administration has declared a 'no flying zone' in Jalandhar in view of the visit.
During his Friday visit, PM Modi will inaugurate 75 redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme from the Jalandhar Cantonment railway station.
Developed at a cost of about Rs 1,570 crore, these stations have been transformed into modern, passenger-friendly facilities. Redeveloped in the spirit of 'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi', the stations incorporate elements reflecting local culture, heritage
and architecture.
Among them, the four redeveloped railway stations in Punjab are Jalandhar Cantonment, S A S Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Besides, Modi will also inaugurate the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli new rail line, constructed at a cost of about Rs 830 crore as part of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian New Rail Line Project.
This project will significantly strengthen rail connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, benefiting the districts of Hoshiarpur and Una, officials said.
The new rail line will provide connectivity to important religious destinations such as Shri Anandpur Sahib and Maa Chintpurni Temple, while enhancing access to remote areas by providing passengers with a faster, safer and more reliable mode of transportation, they said.
Modi will also flag off the Kartoli-Ambala train service, which will improve connectivity across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
He will also flag off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi train service, establishing a direct rail link between two of India's most revered spiritual and cultural centres.
The PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of national highway projects worth over Rs 3,070 crore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate sections of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and lay the foundation stone for the Southern Ludhiana Bypass in
Punjab on Friday.
Earlier in Chandigarh, he will launch healthcare and road projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore, including new facilities and a critical care block at PGIMER.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.