Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab on July 17 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects worth around ₹26,800 crore across the three regions. The visit will include the launch of India’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train, the inauguration of major highway and railway projects, healthcare and education infrastructure, and the foundation stone of a Sikh Museum in Kurukshetra.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi will begin his visit in Haryana’s Jind, where he will flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat before inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of projects worth around ₹14,700 crore.
India’s First Hydrogen Train
The hydrogen-powered train, designed and developed using indigenous technology, marks India’s entry into the group of countries operating hydrogen-powered passenger trains.
Powered by hydrogen fuel cells, the train generates electricity onboard while emitting only water vapour, making it a zero-carbon-emission transport system. The 10-coach train is among the world’s longest hydrogen-powered passenger trains and is equipped with a 3,200 HP propulsion system, making it one of the most powerful hydrogen-powered trainsets currently in operation.
The technology is expected to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, eliminate tailpipe emissions, lower noise levels and reduce the need for overhead electrification infrastructure.
Highway Projects in Haryana
The Prime Minister will dedicate and lay the foundation stone of National Highway projects worth over ₹12,470 crore in Haryana.
Among the major projects is the inauguration of Packages 1 to 5 of the 157.92-km four-lane Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, developed at a cost of around ₹9,680 crore. The expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from around 14 hours to nearly six hours, while the Delhi-Amritsar journey will be cut from eight hours to about four hours.
The PM will also dedicate the Ambala-Kala Amb Highway, the Jind-Gohana Greenfield Highway and the elevated railway track at Kurukshetra, besides laying the foundation stone of the Hansi-Barwala Highway project.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate two new medical institutions — Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College in Bhiwani and Maharishi Chyawan Medical College along with Rao Tula Ram Hospital in Narnaul.
Further, the PM will lay the foundation stone of the Sikh Museum at Kurukshetra, which will showcase the history of Sikhism, the teachings of Sikh Gurus and the contribution of the Sikh community using modern technology.
Chandigarh to Get Healthcare and Infrastructure Boost
In Chandigarh, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth over ₹6,600 crore covering healthcare, education and road infrastructure.
He will inaugurate the Advanced Mother and Child Centre and the Advanced Neurosciences Centre at PGIMER, Chandigarh, besides laying the foundation stone of a 150-bed Critical Care Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
The visit will also include the inauguration and foundation stone laying of academic infrastructure projects at Punjab Engineering College and Government College, Sector 46.
On the road infrastructure front, PM Modi will inaugurate the six-lane Greenfield Highway connecting IT City and Kurali in Mohali district. He will also lay the foundation stone of the Zirakpur Greenfield Bypass and the PR-7 Spur of the Ambala-Chandigarh Greenfield Highway.
Rail and Road Projects in Punjab
The Prime Minister will conclude his visit in Jalandhar, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of rail and road infrastructure projects worth over ₹5,470 crore.
He will inaugurate 75 redeveloped railway stations across 20 states under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including Jalandhar Cantt station. Developed at a cost of around ₹1,570 crore, the stations have been modernised with passenger-friendly amenities while reflecting local heritage and architecture.
Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli rail line, built at a cost of around ₹830 crore as part of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian rail project, improving connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Later, PM Narendra Modi will flag off the Kartoli-Ambala train service and the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi train service, strengthening rail connectivity across northern India.
In the road sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Package 6 of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and lay the foundation stone of the Southern Ludhiana Bypass, aimed at improving connectivity and reducing travel time between Ludhiana, Bathinda and other economic centres.
The projects are expected to enhance connectivity, strengthen healthcare and education infrastructure, promote sustainable transportation and boost economic activity across Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab.
