PM Modi Inaugurates PGIMER Facilities, Launches Rs 4,736 Crore Projects in Chandigarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 4,736 crore in Chandigarh, focusing on healthcare, road connectivity, education and urban infrastructure. The projects are aimed at strengthening the city’s role as a regional centre for public services and planned development. Addressing a public gathering at Punjab Engineering College after launching the projects, Modi described Chandigarh as a model of planned urban growth and said the city has remained a priority for the NDA government. He highlighted Chandigarh’s reputation for organised development, improved quality of life and modern infrastructure.

“Chandigarh is not just a city; it has long been a model of development for India. It is known for its planned development, better lifestyle and ease of living,” Modi said, adding that the city’s healthcare facilities have also made it an important destination for people across the region. The Prime Minister said Chandigarh’s strategic location between Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh makes its development significant beyond the Union Territory. He added that improvements in infrastructure and public services in the city also benefit people from neighbouring states, including Jammu and Kashmir, by improving access to essential facilities.

During his address, Modi highlighted the importance of Chandigarh’s healthcare ecosystem, particularly the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). He recalled his association with the institute and said he had visited PGI Chandigarh during his earlier years, including for its convocation ceremony in 2015. “I remember visiting PGI Chandigarh in 2015 to attend its convocation ceremony. I am delighted that today, even though virtually, I have the opportunity to reconnect with many of my old colleagues there,” he said.

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Modi praised PGIMER’s expansion over the past decade and appreciated the contributions of its management, faculty members and young doctors in strengthening healthcare services. He said the institution has become a major medical hub serving patients from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. The Prime Minister also spoke about broader healthcare reforms, saying that access to medical services is increasingly becoming a part of citizens’ rights rather than a privilege available only to a few.

He highlighted government initiatives aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and expanding medical access. Apart from healthcare, Modi also referred to administrative and legal reforms introduced by the central government. He mentioned the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced colonial-era criminal laws, and noted that Chandigarh was among the first places where the new legal framework was implemented. The development projects launched in Chandigarh are expected to improve connectivity, strengthen public infrastructure and support the city’s long-term growth.

The Prime Minister said the initiatives reflect the government’s focus on creating modern urban centres with better facilities for residents. Modi said Chandigarh’s development represents the larger vision of building cities that combine infrastructure, healthcare, education and ease of living. He added that the projects would not only benefit Chandigarh residents but also people from surrounding regions who depend on the city for employment, education and medical services.

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