Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various development projects worth over ₹4,700 crore in Chandigarh, spanning healthcare, education and road infrastructure. Highlighting the city's unique status as an exemplary model for systematic national progress, he emphasized its reputation for ensuring a better lifestyle and ease of living. Acknowledging the divine grace of Maa Chandi over the region, he reaffirmed the ruling administration's unwavering commitment to its continuous, structured growth. “The development of Chandigarh has always been the absolute priority of the current government,“ asserted Shri Modi.
Recalling the historic and massive overhaul of the nation's justice system implemented a year and a half ago, the Prime Minister pointed out the transition from punitive colonial laws to a justice-oriented framework. “The implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita began from Chandigarh itself,“ observed Shri Modi.
Detailing the financial investments made to modernize the urban landscape, the Prime Minister listed transformative initiatives such as the Integrated Command and Control Center, Smart Traffic Management, and Digital Governance. Congratulating the residents on the inauguration of health, education, and infrastructure projects, he highlighted the massive capital infusion driving these futuristic upgrades. “More than two and a half thousand crore rupees have been spent on this mission to make the city high-tech,“ noted Shri Modi.
Charting his extensive daily itinerary dedicated to regional advancement, the Prime Minister mentioned his prior engagement in Jind, Haryana, and his upcoming visit to Jalandhar, Punjab. He framed his current stop as a vital geographic and administrative bridge seamlessly linking the neighboring states. “Our Chandigarh effectively connects both Haryana and Punjab,“ remarked Shri Modi.
Emphasizing the broader regional impact of localized urban growth, the Prime Minister explained how enhancements in the city directly elevate the quality of life for neighboring populations across Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. He specifically spotlighted the city's indispensable and central role in regional healthcare delivery. “For medical services, Chandigarh is a mega hub in this entire region,“ observed Shri Modi.
Announcing the major expansion of advanced healthcare facilities at the local medical institute, the Prime Minister introduced critical new additions including a Neuroscience Center, a Mother and Child Center, and a Critical Care Hospital Block. “These projects will provide even better treatment facilities to millions of people,“ affirmed Shri Modi.
Recalling his previous visit to the institute's convocation ceremony in 2015, the Prime Minister praised the extraordinary capacity building achieved over the past decade. He extended his heartfelt best wishes to the administrative team, academic staff, and medical practitioners continuously driving this progress. “I deeply appreciate the professors and young doctors here for expanding the institution's capabilities,“ remarked Shri Modi.
Drawing a direct correlation between robust public health and strict sanitation standards, the Prime Minister recalled the nationwide launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission. He detailed the massive structural changes implemented, from building crores of toilets to eradicating open defecation, while praising the city for striving to improve its cleanliness rankings. “Various initiatives were started so that cleanliness firmly becomes a part of our daily lifestyle,“ asserted Shri Modi.
Singling out a local retired IPS officer for exceptional civic dedication, the Prime Minister lauded Inderjit Singh Sidhu ji, widely known as the 'Broom Warrior', for sparking a grassroots sanitation movement. He proudly acknowledged the government's decision to formally recognize these inspiring community efforts with a prestigious national award. “For awakening a new awareness, our government honored him with the Padma award this year,“ noted Shri Modi.
Characterizing public hygiene as a continuous way of life rather than a one-off event, the Prime Minister expressed delight that the day's program integrated a special ‘Swachhta se Swagat' drive. He commended the local citizens for embracing this initiative, underscoring its vital role in proactive disease prevention. “Cleanliness campaigns have proven to be incredibly helpful in preventing numerous diseases across the country,“ affirmed Shri Modi.
Reflecting on past global anxieties regarding the nation's healthcare capacity, the Prime Minister contrasted the historical skepticism during crises with the country's proactive leadership during the Corona pandemic. He proudly noted that instead of seeking aid, the nation extended assistance and has now transformed into a premier global destination for complex medical treatments. “Our government completely changed India's capability and radically altered the world's perspective,“ asserted Shri Modi.
Attributing this paradigm shift to twelve years of dedicated policy execution, the Prime Minister recalled the foundational pledge to eradicate medical deprivation and ensure affordable, high-quality care for all citizens. “The success of the country in the last twelve years is the direct result of this very resolution,“ affirmed Shri Modi.
Cataloging the aggressive nationwide expansion of medical infrastructure, the Prime Minister highlighted the approval of 15 new AIIMS post-2014, the establishment of hundreds of medical colleges, and the rapid proliferation of specialty hospitals. He proudly referenced his 2022 inauguration of the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital at Chandigarh, which now expertly serves thousands of patients. “In recent years, India has rapidly and massively expanded its healthcare infrastructure,“ noted Shri Modi.
Shifting focus to grassroots medical access, the Prime Minister detailed the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission's role in fortifying primary care through Critical Care Blocks and Public Health Labs. He revealed that nearly 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are currently providing vital screening and comprehensive health packages across urban, rural, and tribal demographics. “Attention is intensely being paid to the rapid development of primary healthcare facilities in every single village,“ observed Shri Modi.
Highlighting the revolutionary integration of digital technology into public health, the Prime Minister praised the e-Sanjeevani mission for democratizing access to expert medical consultations. He shared that remote populations can now easily connect with top-tier specialists without undertaking arduous physical journeys. “Today, more than 48 crore telemedicine consultations have successfully taken place across the country,“ noted Shri Modi.
Quantifying the life-saving impact of these sweeping medical reforms, the Prime Minister revealed that over 90 percent of childbirths now occur in highly secure institutional settings. He shared staggering statistics reflecting a massive 86 percent drop in maternal mortality alongside a steep decline in infant deaths nationwide. “Due to this massive expansion of health services, there has been a huge drop in the infant mortality rate as well,“ affirmed Shri Modi.
Balancing therapeutic advancements with proactive wellness strategies, the Prime Minister emphasized the administration's dual focus on preventive healthcare. He credited holistic initiatives like the Poshan Abhiyan, Mission Indradhanush, Yoga promotion, HPV vaccination campaigns, and U - WIN platform for actively shielding massive populations from potential health crises. “Due to many such critical efforts, the lives of crores of people are continuously being secured,“ remarked Shri Modi.
Outlining the aggressive national crusade against tuberculosis, the Prime Minister detailed the community-driven TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan's fierce focus on timely screening and treatment. Citing a recent WHO report, he celebrated a 21 percent reduction in infections over the past decade and robust treatment coverage exceeding 90 percent. “Through active public participation, every single individual is being made highly aware,“ asserted Shri Modi.
Identifying the primary beneficiaries of this healthcare revolution, the Prime Minister stated that lower and middle-income families are reaping the most significant rewards. He emphasized a fundamental philosophical shift in the nation's approach to equitable medical access. “Health services in India are no longer a privilege, they are becoming an absolute right,“ affirmed Shri Modi.
Addressing the historic bottlenecks in medical education, the Prime Minister recounted the severe shortage of academic seats that previously shattered the aspirations of young students. He announced that the number of medical colleges has nearly doubled, with record increases in postgraduate slots and the recent, highly anticipated approval of an MBBS college at the local institute. “This immense expansion will give talented youth the chance to study in top institutes and provide the country with the best doctors,“ observed Shri Modi.
Praising the city's unique concentration of educational, engineering, and medical research institutions, the Prime Minister forecasted its rapid rise as a premier hub for startups and technological innovation. To accelerate this academic journey, he celebrated the inauguration of the Kurukshetra Boys Hostel at Punjab Engineering College and the foundation laying for new research scholar accommodations. “It is our endeavor that our youth get the best possible labs and better faculty for advanced research,“ asserted Shri Modi.
Linking rigorous academic environments directly to technological breakthroughs, the Prime Minister stressed the absolute necessity of a robust research ecosystem to propel advancements in Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, and deep-tech. He expressed unwavering faith in local educators and students to spearhead this critical national objective. “Only when the research environment is truly strong will innovation rapidly accelerate,“ affirmed Shri Modi.
Defining robust infrastructure as the ultimate blueprint for economic prosperity, the Prime Minister championed the government's novel holistic developmental approach. He inaugurated a six-lane greenfield highway from IT City to Kurali to alleviate airport road congestion and laid the foundation for the 'PR Seven Spur', promising much smoother transit for regional commuters. “With all such strategic development works, industry and business will gain incredible new momentum,“ noted Shri Modi.
Expanding on the theme of regional connectivity, the Prime Minister announced the simultaneous launch of railway projects in Jalandhar and the historic rollout of the nation's first clean-fuel hydrogen train connecting Jind to Sonipat. He congratulated the public on this monumental national leap in sustainable, green transportation. “This train running entirely on clean fuel marks a truly momentous beginning for the nation,“ remarked Shri Modi.
Concluding his address with a forward-looking vision for a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister urged a relentless focus on future-ready technologies, transit systems, and healthcare architectures. He assured the people of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh that the current administration remains dedicated to building enduring institutions that will serve generations to come. “We must firmly make such bold decisions whose maximum benefits effortlessly reach all our coming generations,“ asserted Shri Modi.
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Cleanliness is not a one-day activity... it is a way of life. pic.twitter.com/aVgVkfh0tW
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 17, 2026
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, India was not a nation seeking help... it was a nation extending help to the world. pic.twitter.com/RT7zRMQ4zb
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 17, 2026
In India, healthcare is no longer a privilege... it is becoming a right. pic.twitter.com/nO532dcORn
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 17, 2026
