16 July,2026 04:21 PM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File pic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,470 crore during his visit to Punjab on July 17, with the main event scheduled in Jalandhar.
The projects are aimed at improving connectivity, enhancing passenger convenience and boosting economic growth across the region.
This will be PM Modi's second visit to Jalandhar this year after his visit to the Dera Sachkand Ballan in February. The visit also comes as the BJP gears up to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections independently.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav reviewed security arrangements at the Jalandhar Cantonment railway station, while the district administration has declared Jalandhar a 'no flying zone' for the duration of the Prime Minister's visit, reported PTI.
During the visit, PM Modi will inaugurate 75 redeveloped railway stations aunder the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme from Jalandhar Cantonment railway station.
Developed at a cost of around Rs 1,570 crore, the upgraded stations features modern passenger amenities while incorporating local culture, heritage and architecture under the theme 'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi.'
The four redeveloped stations in Punjab are Jalandhar Cantonment, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli rail line, built at a cost of around Rs. 830 crores under the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian New Rail Line Project.
Officials said the new line will strenghten rail connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, benefiting Hoshiarpur and Una districts while improving access to religious destinations such as Sri Anandpur Sahib and Maa Chintpurni Temple, reported PTI.
PM Modi will also flag off the Kartoli-Ambala train service and the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi train, providing better connvectivity between Punjab, Haryana, Himacahal Pradesh and two major spiritual centres.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth over Rs 3,070 crore.
These include the inauguration of the 30.9-km Package-6 of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, which is expected to reduce travel time, ease movement of heavy vehicles and lower fuel consumption.
He will also lay the foundation stone for the 25.2-km six-lane Southern Ludhiana Bypass, aimed at improving connectivity between Ludhiana and Bathinda while reducing travel distance and congestion.
Before arriving in Jalandhar, PM Modi will visit Chandigarh, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore related to 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 for a 150-bed Critical Care Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
(With inputs from PTI)
