Breaking: PM Modi unveils Rs 4,700-crore development projects for Chandigarh
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 17, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹4,700 crore in Chandigarh, spanning the healthcare, education and road infrastructure sectors. He also inaugurated several advanced healthcare facilities at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER).
The Prime Minister was welcomed at the event by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.
Addressing a public gathering, Modi described Chandigarh as “not just a city, but a model of development for the entire country,” and said the NDA government has consistently prioritised strengthening the city’s infrastructure and improving the quality of life of its residents.
Highlighting reforms in the legal system, the Prime Minister said the government had replaced the colonial-era penal code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which he said would ensure faster and more accessible justice for citizens.
Speaking about Chandigarh’s transformation into a smart city, Modi said the Centre has invested over ₹2,500 crore in projects such as the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), Smart Traffic Management System, Smart Parking, and digital governance initiatives to modernise urban infrastructure.
A major focus of the event was the expansion of healthcare facilities at PGIMER Chandigarh. The Prime Minister inaugurated key projects, including the Advanced Neurosciences Centre, Advanced Mother and Child Centre, and the Critical Care Hospital Block, aimed at enhancing tertiary healthcare services for patients from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Emphasising the importance of cleanliness in public health, Modi said good health cannot be achieved without sanitation. He highlighted the achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission, under which millions of toilets have been constructed and nationwide campaigns launched to promote hygiene and cleanliness.
The Prime Minister also lauded retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu, a recipient of the Padma award, for his contributions to promoting cleanliness in Chandigarh. He said cleanliness should become a way of life rather than a one-time campaign.
Expressing confidence in the impact of the newly launched projects, Modi said they would significantly boost Chandigarh’s infrastructure and improve healthcare and public services for people across the region.