The Prime Minister also flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, establishing a direct rail connection between two important spiritual and cultural destinations. The new service fulfills a long-standing demand of the Ravidassia community in Punjab for direct rail connectivity to Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi ahead of the 650th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ravidas.
Modi arrived in Jalandhar after unveiling development projects in Chandigarh and Jind in Haryana, where he flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train. His visit to Jalandhar marked his second trip to the city this year after visiting Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February.
The Prime Minister's visit is being viewed as a significant political outreach ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, which the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to contest independently.
As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Modi inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations across 20 states. The redevelopment projects, completed at an estimated cost of about Rs 1,570 crore, have introduced modern, passenger-friendly facilities while incorporating architectural elements reflecting local culture, heritage, and regional identity.
Four of the redeveloped stations are located in Punjab: Jalandhar Cantonment, S A S Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Sri Anandpur Sahib. The upgraded stations have been designed to provide improved passenger amenities while preserving the architectural character and cultural heritage of their respective regions.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli new railway line, constructed at an estimated cost of about Rs 830 crore under the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian New Rail Line Project. According to officials, the new railway line will significantly strengthen rail connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, benefiting the districts of Hoshiarpur and Una.
Officials stated that the railway line will improve access to important religious destinations, including Sri Anandpur Sahib and Maa Chintpurni Temple, while providing faster, safer, and more reliable transportation for passengers traveling to remote areas.
Further strengthening regional connectivity, Modi flagged off the Kartoli-Ambala train service, which is expected to improve rail transportation across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
After arriving in Jalandhar, the Prime Minister was seen at Jalandhar Cantonment Railway Station with Dera Sachkhand Ballan chief Niranjan Dass. Earlier this year, on February 1, Modi had visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan, the largest religious institution associated with the Ravidassia community in Punjab.
In addition to railway projects, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for national highway projects valued at more than Rs 3,070 crore.
Among the major road projects inaugurated was the 30.9-kilometre Package 6 section of the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. According to officials, the newly opened section will facilitate faster and smoother travel, particularly for heavy vehicles, while reducing fuel consumption and vehicle operating costs.
Modi also laid the foundation stone for the 25.2-kilometre six-lane greenfield Southern Ludhiana Bypass. The project is expected to reduce both travel distance and travel time between Ludhiana and Bathinda while improving connectivity with other major economic centres across the region.
The inauguration of railway stations, new rail corridors, train services, expressway sections, and highway projects represents one of the largest integrated infrastructure initiatives launched in Punjab in recent years. With improved transportation links, enhanced passenger facilities, expanded religious tourism connectivity, and upgraded highway networks, the projects are expected to strengthen regional mobility, support economic growth, and improve connectivity between Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country
About The Author
Comment List