Chandigarh, July 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a major infrastructure drive in Chandigarh on Friday, dedicating and laying the foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore. The expansive development package spans the healthcare, education, and road infrastructure sectors, positioning the Union Territory as a central driver of growth for the entire northern region.
While addressing a large public gathering, the Prime Minister indicated that the structural expansion of the city holds immense value for neighboring populations.
“With the development of Chandigarh, people’s lives have been transformed. But its benefits extend beyond the city, reaching the people of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as well. I am aware that, from the point of view of healthcare, Chandigarh is an important centre. Today, the advanced healthcare facilities at PGI Chandigarh are being expanded, which will benefit lakhs of people,” Modi asserted.
The Prime Minister maintained that the city represents a fundamental benchmark for modern urban planning within the nation. He affirmed that the Union Territory’s unique combination of structured design, lifestyle quality, and medical accessibility has long formed the core of the government’s development philosophy.
“Coming among all of you today fills my heart with a unique sense of joy. Chandigarh is not just a city; it has been a model of development for India. Chandigarh is known for its planned development, for a better lifestyle, better medical facilities, and along with all this, Chandigarh’s identity is the blessings of Maa Chandika,” the Prime Minister declared.
The comprehensive package brings critical advancements to regional healthcare systems through major additions at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). The Prime Minister officially inaugurated the state-of-the-art Advanced Mother and Child Centre alongside the Advanced Neurosciences Centre, while also laying the foundation stone for a new Critical Care Hospital Block designed to cater to patients across several northern states.
The Prime Minister stated that this medical expansion coincides with massive tech-driven upgrades under the Smart City Mission, where more than Rs 2,500 crore has been utilized for digital governance, smart parking, and integrated command centers. He added that Chandigarh has also established itself as a pioneer in institutional governance, noting it was the very first territory to implement the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita legal framework.
