Chandigarh | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation a series of development projects worth over ₹4,700 crore in Chandigarh, aimed at strengthening the city’s healthcare infrastructure, higher education facilities, and regional road connectivity. The projects are expected to benefit not only Chandigarh but also neighbouring states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister described Chandigarh as a model city for planned urban development and reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to its long-term growth. He said that investments in modern infrastructure, digital governance, healthcare and education would further improve the quality of life and support the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Major Healthcare Expansion
A significant portion of the investment has been directed towards expanding healthcare infrastructure. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for several key facilities at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), including:
- Neuroscience Centre
- Mother and Child Centre
- Critical Care Hospital Block
These facilities are expected to enhance advanced medical treatment capacity and serve millions of patients from northern India. Modi noted that Chandigarh has emerged as a major healthcare hub for the region and highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen India’s medical infrastructure over the past decade through new AIIMS, medical colleges and digital healthcare initiatives.
New Facilities for Higher Education
To improve research and academic infrastructure, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Kurukshetra Boys Hostel at Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and laid the foundation stone for additional hostel facilities for research scholars.
He stressed that strengthening research ecosystems in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and deep technologies would help India emerge as a global innovation leader.
Road Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a six-lane greenfield highway connecting IT City to Kurali, designed to ease traffic congestion on airport-bound routes and improve regional mobility.
Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for the PR Seven Spur Road Project, which is expected to provide smoother connectivity across Chandigarh and adjoining regions while supporting industrial and commercial growth.
Focus on Cleanliness and Preventive Healthcare
During his address, Modi reiterated the importance of the Swachh Bharat Mission, describing cleanliness as a way of life rather than a one-time activity. He praised community-led sanitation initiatives in Chandigarh and highlighted improvements in public health resulting from better sanitation, preventive healthcare programmes and digital health services.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the expansion of Ayushman Bharat, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, e-Sanjeevani telemedicine, Mission Indradhanush, Poshan Abhiyan and the TB Mukt Bharat campaign as examples of the government’s efforts to improve healthcare access across the country.
Emphasis on Future-Ready Infrastructure
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi said investments in healthcare, education, research and transport infrastructure are essential for creating sustainable cities and accelerating economic growth. He emphasized that projects being developed today are designed to benefit future generations while strengthening Chandigarh’s role as an educational, medical and technological hub.
Also Read: Building Smarter Cities Through Better Architecture: A Conversation with Ar. Sanjay Goel
Join our WhatsApp Channel for fastest updates: Join now