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.
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.
