Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chandigarh after flagging off India’s first hydrogen-powered train from Jind, Haryana. In Chandigarh, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 10 major development projects, emphasizing that the city’s progress would also benefit the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Addressing a gathering, the Prime Minister said Chandigarh has long served as a model of planned urban development and remains a key hub for healthcare, education and research. He announced that the city has received approval for a new MBBS college, with academic sessions expected to begin soon, creating more opportunities for aspiring medical students.
Modi stressed that building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) requires continued investment in future technologies, modern transportation and world-class healthcare infrastructure. He said the government’s initiatives are designed not only for the present generation but also for the long-term benefit of future generations.
Highlighting healthcare reforms, the Prime Minister said India has significantly expanded medical education over the past decade by establishing 15 new AIIMS institutions, increasing MBBS seats and strengthening healthcare infrastructure. He also noted that Chandigarh has benefited from projects such as the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and the Ayushman Health Infrastructure Mission, adding that India is rapidly emerging as a global destination for medical tourism.
On the education front, Modi said Chandigarh is poised to become a center for innovation, startups and advanced research. He inaugurated new hostels at Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and Government College, Sector 46, expressing confidence that students and faculty would play a leading role in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors and deepfake detection.
Prime Minister also announced several connectivity projects aimed at improving regional transportation. These include the IT City–Greenfield Road Project, expected to reduce traffic congestion for commuters in Mohali and Kharar, and the foundation stone for the Ambala–Chandigarh Greenfield Highway. He added that railway infrastructure projects being inaugurated later in Jalandhar would further strengthen connectivity across Punjab and neighboring regions.
Recalling his long association with Chandigarh, Modi said the city’s renowned healthcare institutions, including PGIMER, have long served patients from across northern India. He praised Chandigarh’s organized urban planning and said its continued development remains a priority for the NDA government.
Following the Chandigarh event, the Prime Minister departed for Jalandhar, where he is scheduled to inaugurate 75 Amrit Bharat railway stations, meet spiritual leaders from prominent deras, and address a public rally. Political observers are also viewing the Punjab visit as significant ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
