Jalandhar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a massive infrastructure development drive in Punjab by virtually inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for multiple rail and road projects valued at over Rs 5,470 crore from Jalandhar Cantonment. Addressing a massive public gathering at the venue, the Prime Minister expressed deep reverence for Punjab, stating that visiting the sacred land of Gurus and saints is a matter of immense pride for him. He reiterated the central government’s firm commitment to utilizing all possible resources to accelerate economic growth and modernise the public transport landscape across the state. During his address, the Prime Minister also paid a poignant tribute to the historical leader Sardar Teja Singh Samundri, honoring his monumental contributions to society and the nation.
A major highlight of the infrastructure push was the rollout of new train services connecting critical regional and cultural hubs. The Prime Minister officially flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)–Varanasi Express, which provides a direct transit link between two major spiritual centres of the country, alongside the new Kartoli–Ambala train service. Additionally, he dedicated the newly constructed 16-kilometre Daulatpur Chowk–Kartoli rail section, built at a cost of approximately Rs 830 crore as a vital component of the larger Nangal Dam–Talwara–Mukerian project, which will significantly improve transit access between remote parts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
The Prime Minister also dedicated 75 redeveloped railway stations across the country under the flagship Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which integrates world-class passenger amenities with local architectural heritage. Four of these modernised transport hubs are located within Punjab, including the Jalandhar Cantonment station itself, alongside the newly upgraded facilities at S.A.S. Nagar Mohali, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Sri Anandpur Sahib. On the road connectivity front, the developmental package included the inauguration of the crucial 30.9-kilometre Package-6 of the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway to streamline interstate freight movement, as well as laying the foundation stone for the 25.2-kilometre six-lane Southern Ludhiana Bypass to cut travel time between Ludhiana and Bathinda.
