Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab on Friday will see the rollout of development projects worth over Rs 24,800 crore, spanning highways, railways, healthcare and education. The itinerary includes the flagging off of India’s first hydrogen-powered train, alongside the inauguration of completed projects and the laying of foundation stones for new infrastructure across the three regions. Here’s a look at the key projects PM Modi will launch during his visit:
Haryana: Hydrogen train, expressways and more
PM Modi will begin his visit in Jind, Haryana, where he will flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat at around 11 am. Developed using indigenous technology, the train is powered by hydrogen fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity, producing only water vapour as a by-product.He will also lay the foundation stone and dedicated development projects worth around Rs 14,700 crore at Eklavya Stadium before addressing a public gathering.A major share of the investment is towards National Highway projects worth over Rs 12,470 crore. These include the inauguration of the 157.92-km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (Packages 1 to 5), built at a cost of around Rs 9,680 crore. The expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from about 14 hours to nearly six hours, while cutting the Delhi-Amritsar journey from around eight hours to four hours.He is also set to dedicate the Ambala-Kala Amb Highway and the Jind-Gohana Greenfield Highway, while laying the foundation stone for the Hansi-Barwala Brownfield Highway Project.Also read | India’s first hydrogen train set for July 17 launch: Route, features, inside look and FAQsOther projects include the inauguration of the Elevated Railway Track at Kurukshetra, the dedication of Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College in Bhiwani, Maharishi Chyawan Medical College and Rao Tula Ram Hospital at Koriawas, Narnaul, and the foundation stone laying of the Sikh Museum at Kurukshetra.
Chandigarh: Healthcare and education infra in focus
After Haryana, PM Modi will travel to Chandigarh, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore.At PGIMER, he will inaugurate the Advanced Mother and Child Centre and the Advanced Neurosciences Centre, besides laying the foundation stone for a 150-bed Critical Care Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).The visit also includes education infrastructure projects such as the inauguration of the Kurukshetra Boys Hostel & Mess at Punjab Engineering College, a hostel block at Government College, Sector 46, and the foundation stone for a Research Scholars’ Hostel at Punjab Engineering College.On the roads front, Modi will inaugurate the six-lane Greenfield Highway connecting IT City and Kurali in Mohali district and lay the foundation stone for the PR-7 Spur of the Ambala-Chandigarh Greenfield Highway (NH-205A).Also read | India’s first hydrogen-powered train to be flagged off, 10 facts & photos you shouldn’t miss
Punjab: Railway stations, new rail links and highway projects
PM Modi’s final stop will be Jalandhar, where he will launch rail and road infrastructure projects worth over Rs 5,470 crore.He will inaugurate 75 redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including Jalandhar Cantt. Developed at a cost of about Rs 1,570 crore, the stations have been upgraded with modern passenger facilities while incorporating local culture, heritage and architecture.He will also inaugurate the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli rail line, constructed at a cost of about Rs 830 crore, and flag off the Kartoli-Ambala and Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi train services.Road projects include the inauguration of Package-6 of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and the foundation stone laying for the Southern Ludhiana Bypass, a six-lane Greenfield project aimed at improving connectivity and reducing travel time between Ludhiana and Bathinda.