PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of projects worth Rs 5,470 cr in Jalandhar

Jalandhar, Jul 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of rail and road infrastructure projects, including 75 redeveloped railway stations, worth Rs 5,470 crore in Jalandhar. The projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving passenger convenience and accelerating economic development in the region. Modi reached Jalandhar after unveiling projects in Chandigarh and Haryana's Jind where he flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train. This is his second visit to Jalandhar after he visited the Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February this year. Modi's visit is being seen as political outreach ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls, which the BJP is preparing to fight on its own. The prime minister also flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, establishing a direct rail link between the two revered spiritual and cultural centres. It has been the major demand of the Ravidassia community in Punjab for a direct train service ahead of Guru Ravidas's 650th Parkash Purab celebrations at his birth place Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi. Modi was seen interacting with the Dera Sachkhand Ballan chief Niranjan Dass before the train was flagged off. Earlier on February 1, Modi visited the Dera Sachkhand Ballan and it is the largest dera of Ravidassia community in Punjab. In his address, Modi attacked the AAP government, the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and also asserted that it was only the BJP which can bring real change to Punjab. Modi attacked the Congress, saying when it was in power at the Centre, it would make "false announcements about new trains" and then do nothing. "The railway stations in the country were left to their fate by the Congress. No one even paid attention to the railway stations built during the British era," he said. Indian Railways network is massive and the number of passengers travelling in the trains daily surpasses the population of many countries, the PM said. Modi, who was wearing a green turban, was presented with a portrait of Maharaja Ranjit Singh by the state BJP leaders. After launching the projects, he said although Punjab does not have a BJP government, the central government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the state's development. "The BJP-led Centre's priority is to serve its citizens and make their lives easier. And to provide new opportunities to them to move forward. That is why we are moving with the mantra of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava'," he said. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and several BJP leaders including MP Tarun Chugh, Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, former state unit chief Sunil Jakhar, MLA Ashwani Sharma were present. Rajya Sabha MPs Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Ashok Mittal and Vikramjit Sahney were also present at the event. The prime minister inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations in 20 states under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Modern, passenger-friendly facilities have been added to the stations, which have been redeveloped at about Rs 1,570 crore. Four among them are in Punjab: Jalandhar Cantonment, S A S Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib railway stations. Elements reflecting local culture, heritage and architecture have been incorporated at the stations. Modi also inaugurated the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli new rail line, constructed at 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 also flagged off the Kartoli-Ambala train service, which will improve connectivity across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The PM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of national highway projects worth over Rs 3,070 crore. He inaugurated the 30.9-km-long 'Package 6' of the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. The section will facilitate easier and faster travel, particularly for heavy vehicles, while reducing fuel consumption and vehicle operating costs, officials said. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the development of the 25.2-km-long six-lane greenfield Southern Ludhiana Bypass. The project will reduce travel distance and time between Ludhiana and Bathinda, while also improving connectivity to other major economic centres. During his address, Modi also paid tribute to Teja Singh Samundri , who was a leading figure in the Gurdwara Reform Movement and a founder member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, on his 100th death anniversary. During the British rule, Samundri launched several agitations to safeguard the Sikh community's interests and dedicated his entire life in the service of motherland. PTI CHS SUN VSD SKY SKY