Chandigarh, July 17: A massive infrastructure package worth over Rs 4,700 crore was formally presented to Chandigarh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Designed to elevate the quality of life across the region, the newly launched initiatives focus heavily on expanding tertiary healthcare facilities, upgrading educational institutions, and strengthening local road networks.
The Prime Minister shared his vision for the Union Territory during a public address, describing the city as a historic icon of progress.
“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,” Modi declared.
The Prime Minister maintained that the strategic upgrades to the city’s framework function as a vital lifeline for surrounding border states. He stated that patients from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir rely heavily on the city’s medical network, making these upgrades a shared regional victory.
“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,” the Prime Minister affirmed.
Central to the financial package is a significant boost to specialized medical wings at PGIMER, including a 300-bed facility dedicated to maternal care and an integrated neurosciences hub. The Prime Minister also laid the groundwork for an upcoming 150-bed Critical Care Block funded under central health infrastructure missions.
The Prime Minister concluded by placing the local enhancements within the context of a broader national transformation. He affirmed that honest governance over the past 12 years has successfully changed global perceptions of the domestic healthcare ecosystem, turning the country into an international hub for medical services.
