In a significant move to boost rail and road infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled projects totaling over Rs 5,470 crore. These initiatives aim to enhance connectivity, improve passenger facilities, and spur economic growth while linking India’s key spiritual and cultural hubs. The Prime Minister commenced the inauguration by unveiling 75 revamped railway stations and launching two new trains.
PM Modi’s engagements included a meeting with Sant Niranjan Dass, the head of Dera Sachkhand, as a gesture towards the Dalit community, especially in Punjab ahead of the upcoming elections. He also interacted with passengers aboard a train and sought blessings from Sant Niranjan Dass, emphasizing the significance of the encounter.
The redeveloped railway stations, spread across 20 states and including Jalandhar Cantonment, signify a milestone under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a global-scale station redevelopment initiative. With an investment of approximately Rs 1,570 crore, these stations have been revamped into modern, passenger-centric facilities. Reflecting the ethos of ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi,’ these stations incorporate elements that showcase local culture, heritage, and architecture.
Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli new rail line, constructed at a cost of around Rs 830 crore as part of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian New Rail Line Project. This new line will bolster rail connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, benefiting regions like Hoshiarpur and Una. It will also provide access to key religious sites such as Shri Anandpur Sahib and Maa Chintpurni Temple, offering passengers a faster, safer, and more reliable mode of transport.
The Prime Minister flagged off the Kartoli-Ambala train service, enhancing connectivity across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Furthermore, he initiated the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi train service, establishing a direct rail link between two of India’s revered spiritual and cultural centers. Strengthening road infrastructure, PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for National Highway projects exceeding Rs 3,070 crore.
PM Modi inaugurated the 30.9-km-long Package-6 of the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, facilitating smoother and quicker travel, particularly for heavy vehicles, and reducing fuel consumption and operational costs. He also laid the foundation stone for the 25.2-km-long six-lane greenfield Southern Ludhiana Bypass, which will shorten travel distance and time between Ludhiana and Bathinda, while enhancing connectivity to other major economic hubs.
