PM Modi unveils Rs 4,700 crore projects, calls Chandigarh model of development

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Chandigarh, July 17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the development of Chandigarh had remained a priority for his government as he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than ₹4,700 crore in the city.

The projects span healthcare, education and road infrastructure and are aimed at strengthening Chandigarh’s role as a major regional hub for northern India.

Addressing a gathering in the city, Modi described Chandigarh as a model of planned urban development and said its growth had a direct impact on neighbouring states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

“Chandigarh effectively connects Haryana and Punjab,” he said, adding that the city had emerged as a major centre for healthcare services in the region.

A significant part of the announcements focused on healthcare infrastructure. The Prime Minister unveiled plans for the expansion of facilities at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), including a new Neurosciences Centre, a Mother and Child Centre and a Critical Care Hospital Block.

He said the new facilities would help improve medical services for millions of people who travel to Chandigarh for specialised treatment.

Recalling his visit to PGIMER’s convocation ceremony in 2015, Modi praised the institute’s doctors, professors and staff for expanding its capabilities over the past decade.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s wider healthcare initiatives, saying India had significantly strengthened its medical infrastructure in recent years through new AIIMS institutions, medical colleges and speciality hospitals.

He pointed to the expansion of primary healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, saying nearly 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were now providing screening and healthcare services across the country.

Modi also referred to the growth of digital healthcare services, saying telemedicine had made expert consultations more accessible to people living in remote areas.

On urban development, the Prime Minister said more than ₹2,500 crore had been invested to make Chandigarh a high-tech city through initiatives such as smart traffic management systems, digital governance and integrated command centres.

He also recalled the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, saying Chandigarh had been the starting point for India’s transition from colonial-era criminal laws to a justice-oriented legal framework.

The Prime Minister praised the Swachh Bharat Mission and urged citizens to view cleanliness as a way of life rather than a one-time campaign.

He paid special tribute to retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu, popularly known as the “Broom Warrior”, for inspiring a community-led cleanliness movement. Modi said  that Sidhu had been honoured with a Padma award this year for his efforts.

Speaking about India’s response to the Covid pandemic, the Prime Minister said the country had transformed from a nation once seen as dependent on external assistance into a destination for advanced medical treatment.

He also stressed the importance of research and education, expressing confidence that Chandigarh could emerge as a major centre for innovation, startups and advanced technologies.

Concluding his address, Modi said investments in healthcare, education and infrastructure were aimed at building institutions that would serve future generations and contribute to the broader vision of a developed India.