PM Modi Inaugurates 75 Redeveloped Stations, New Rail Lines in Punjab

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 5,470 crore in Punjab during a visit to Jalandhar. The projects are aimed at strengthening regional connectivity, improving passenger amenities and accelerating economic development across Punjab and neighbouring states. During the programme, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, establishing a direct rail link between two important spiritual and cultural destinations.

The Prime Minister arrived in Jalandhar after attending events in Chandigarh and Jind, Haryana, where he earlier flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train and inaugurated several highway projects. This was his second visit to Jalandhar this year after visiting Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February. The visit is also being viewed as politically significant, with the Bharatiya Janata Party preparing to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections independently.

As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, PM Modi inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations across 20 states at a cost of around Rs 1,570 crore. Four of these stations are located in Punjab—Jalandhar Cantonment, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib. According to officials, the redeveloped stations have been equipped with modern passenger-friendly facilities while incorporating architectural elements that reflect local culture, heritage and regional identity.

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The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli rail line, constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 830 crore as part of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian New Rail Line Project. The new railway line is expected to strengthen connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, particularly benefiting the districts of Hoshiarpur and Una. Officials said the project will improve access to important religious destinations such as Shri Anandpur Sahib and the Maa Chintpurni Temple while providing faster, safer and more reliable transportation for passengers. PM Modi also flagged off the Kartoli-Ambala train service to enhance rail connectivity across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Another key highlight of the visit was the launch of the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Ravidassia community for a direct rail connection to Guru Ravidas's birthplace at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi ahead of the saint's 650th Parkash Purab celebrations. During the event at Jalandhar Cantonment railway station, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Dera Sachkhand Ballan chief Niranjan Dass. The new train service is expected to improve travel convenience for pilgrims and strengthen cultural ties between the two cities.

In addition to the railway initiatives, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for national highway projects worth over Rs 3,070 crore. These include the inauguration of the 30.9-km Package 6 section of the four-lane Greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and the foundation stone for the 25.2-km six-lane Southern Ludhiana Bypass. Officials said the highway projects will reduce travel time, ease congestion, improve freight movement, lower fuel consumption and strengthen connectivity between Ludhiana, Bathinda and other major economic centres, contributing to long-term infrastructure and economic growth in the region.

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