Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹4,700 crore in Chandigarh, spanning healthcare, education and road infrastructure. Addressing a public gathering, he described Chandigarh as a model of planned development whose progress benefits not only the Union Territory but also neighbouring Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Chandigarh came after he flagged off India’s first 10-coach hydrogen-powered train and inaugurated development projects worth ₹14,700 crore in Haryana’s Jind. He is also scheduled to visit Jalandhar, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth ₹5,470 crore.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said Chandigarh represented India’s vision of planned urban development.
“Coming among all of you today fills my heart with a unique sense of joy. Chandigarh is not just a city; it has been a model of development for India. Chandigarh is known for its planned development, for a better lifestyle, better medical facilities, and along with all this, Chandigarh’s identity is the blessings of Maa Chandika,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the NDA government had consistently prioritised Chandigarh’s development because of its strategic importance.
“With the development of Chandigarh, people’s lives have been transformed. But its benefits extend beyond the city, reaching the people of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as well. I am aware that, from the point of view of healthcare, Chandigarh is an important centre. Today, the advanced healthcare facilities at PGI Chandigarh are being expanded, which will benefit lakhs of people,” he said.
PM Modi highlighted several governance reforms implemented over the past decade, including the replacement of colonial-era criminal laws.
“You will recall that a year and a half ago, the country made a major reform in the justice system. We brought the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in place of the Penal Code. In other words, a justice-based legal system in place of punishment-based laws. The implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita began from Chandigarh itself,” he said.
The Prime Minister also spoke about Chandigarh’s transformation under the Smart City Mission.
“Over the past years, numerous projects such as the Integrated Command and Control Centre, Smart Traffic Management, Smart Parking and Digital Governance have been implemented to transform Chandigarh into a high-tech city. More than ₹2,500 crore have been spent on this mission,” he said.
Emphasising the city’s regional importance, the Prime Minister noted that Chandigarh serves as a key hub connecting several northern states.
“Before coming here, I was in Jind, Haryana, and from here I am heading to Jalandhar for Punjab’s development works. Chandigarh connects the entire region of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal. Chandigarh’s development not only transforms the lives of the people here but also brings great benefits to the people of Haryana, Himachal, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. For medical services, Chandigarh is a major hub in this entire region,” he said.
Recalling his association with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), PM Modi said he frequently visited the institute during his stay in the city as patients from across North India sought treatment there.
“I remember visiting PGI Chandigarh in 2015 to attend its convocation ceremony. I am delighted that today, even though virtually, I have the opportunity to reconnect with many of my old colleagues there,” he said.
Praising the institution’s contribution to healthcare, the Prime Minister added, “Over the past decade, the PGI has significantly expanded its capabilities. I commend the management of the PGI, its professors and its young doctors for their outstanding work, and extend my best wishes to them.”
He also highlighted the country’s progress in medical education over the past decade.
“Today the number of medical colleges in the country has nearly doubled, and there has been a record increase in MBBS and postgraduate medical seats,” PM Modi said.
Speaking about India’s healthcare transformation, he said the country’s global image had changed significantly.
“There was a time when the world used to worry about India’s healthcare system. During the coronavirus pandemic, the world was worried about India. But our government changed the world’s perception of India. During the pandemic, India was not asking for help; it was sending help. Today, people from across the world come to India for healthcare. This is the result of the honest efforts made over the past 12 years,” the Prime Minister said.
During the event, PM Modi virtually inaugurated the Advanced Mother and Child Centre at PGIMER in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Designed to provide comprehensive tertiary care for high-risk pregnancies, critically ill newborns and children requiring specialised treatment, the 300-bed facility is equipped with state-of-the-art medical infrastructure and is expected to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services across the region.
He also inaugurated the Advanced Neurosciences Centre at PGIMER, which will bring neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-critical care and advanced diagnostic facilities under one roof, while strengthening medical research, education and training in neurosciences.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of a 150-bed Critical Care Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at PGIMER. The facility is expected to enhance emergency preparedness, intensive care services and disaster response capabilities.
In the education sector, PM Modi inaugurated the Kurukshetra Boys Hostel and Mess at Punjab Engineering College and the Hostel Block at Government College, Sector 46, while laying the foundation stone of the Research Scholars’ Hostel at Punjab Engineering College. The projects are aimed at strengthening academic infrastructure and improving residential facilities for students and researchers.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the six-lane Greenfield Highway connecting IT City and Kurali in Mohali district, which is expected to reduce travel time between Mohali, Kharar and Kurali while improving connectivity with Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Additionally, he laid the foundation stone of the 10.3-km PR-7 Spur of the Ambala-Chandigarh Greenfield Highway (NH-205A), a corridor designed to divert long-distance traffic away from Zirakpur and provide direct connectivity between the Zirakpur Bypass and Aerocity on the outskirts of Chandigarh.
(With agency inputs)
