PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of ₹ 5,470 crore projects in Jalandhar

In this photo taken on July 17, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering during a public meeting in Jalandhar, Punjab. Photo: YouTube/(@NarendraModi/ via PTI | Photo Credit:-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (July 17, 2026) inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of rail and road infrastructure projects, including 75 redeveloped railway stations worth ₹ 5,470 crore from Jalandhar.

The projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving passenger comfort and accelerating economic development in the region.

Also Read: PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone of ₹35,000 Crore Development Projects in Vadodara

The Prime Minister also flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, which established a direct rail link between the two revered spiritual and cultural centres.

Mr 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 visiting Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February this year.

Mr Modi’s visit is seen as a political overture ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls, which the BJP is set to fight alone.

The Prime Minister inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations in 20 states under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Redeveloped at a cost of around ₹1,570 crore, modern passenger-friendly facilities have been added to the stations.

Four of them are in Punjab: Jalandhar Cantonment Railway Station, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Elements reflecting local culture, heritage and architecture have been incorporated into the stations.

Mr. Modi also inaugurated the new Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli rail line, built at a cost of around ₹830 crore as part of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian New Rail Line Project.

This project will significantly strengthen the rail connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, which will benefit Hoshiarpur and Una districts, officials said.

The new railway line will provide connectivity to important religious destinations such as Shri Anandpur Sahib and Maa Chintpurni Temple, while improving access to remote areas by providing passengers with a faster, safer and more reliable mode of transport, they said.

Mr. Modi also flagged off the Kartoli-Ambala train service, which will improve connectivity across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

It also stopped the Sant Ravidas Express, creating a direct rail link between Amritsar and Varanasi. After arriving in Jalandhar, Mr. Modi was also spotted with Sachkhand Ballan Dera Chief Niranjan Dass at Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station.

It was the main demand of the Ravidassia community in Punjab for direct train service ahead of the 650th Parkash Purab celebrations of Guru Ravidas at his birthplace Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi.

On February 1, Mr. Modi visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which is the largest dera of the Ravidassia community in Punjab.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of national highway projects worth over ₹3,070 crore.

He inaugurated the 30.9 km long ‘Paket 6’ of the four-lane Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway on a green field.

The stretch will make travel easier and faster, especially for heavy vehicles, while reducing fuel consumption and vehicle running costs, officials said.

Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 25.2 km long six-lane South Ludhiana bypass on the green field.

The project will reduce travel distance and time between Ludhiana and Bathinda while improving connectivity to other major economic hubs.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 18:19 IST