Jalandhar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a fierce attack on the AAP government in Punjab over law and order and several other issues, dubbing the ruling dispensation as a “kattar beiman” which neither has clean intentions, nor honesty.
Addressing a gathering in Jalandhar after launching and laying foundation for rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,470 crore, including 75 redeveloped railway stations pan-India, the prime minister alleged that the law and order situation is in shambles in Punjab, where no one can predict when or where a gang war might break out or from which direction bullets might fly.
"Extortion demands are being made openly, and even attacks on police stations have become a frequent occurrence," Modi said.
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The infrastructure projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving passenger convenience and accelerating economic development in the region, officials said.
Terming the AAP government “kattar beiman” with no clean intentions or honesty, the prime minister said that debts are being raised in the name of Punjab, and a large portion of the budget is being spent on servicing that debt, while those running the state government are enjoying the benefits of that money.
Modi also attacked the Akali Dal, saying it is not concerned with the public as it is caught up with its own affairs.
"Development work across Punjab has come to a standstill. The only projects that are being showcased are all initiatives of the government of India," Modi said.
"But Jalandhar is now becoming a witness to development," he added, referring to the unveiling of development projects here.
Although Punjab does not have a BJP government, the BJP-led NDA at the Centre is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the state's development, Modi said.
Attacking the Congress, he said, "What was the condition of Railways before 2014? The then-Congress government would simply make false announcements about new trains and then just sit back."
Modi also said that the infighting in Congress's Punjab unit over the chief minister's chair seems never-ending.
"They are not fighting for people, they are fighting among themselves," he said.
On the occasion, the prime minister flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, establishing a direct rail link between the two prominent spiritual and cultural centres.
Modi reached Jalandhar after unveiling several projects in Chandigarh and Haryana's Jind, where he flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train.
This was Modi's second visit to Jalandhar after he went to the Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February.
The visit is being seen as a political outreach ahead of the 2027 Punjab polls, which the BJP is preparing to fight on its own.
The prime minister earlier inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations in 20 states under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Under the project, modern, passenger-friendly facilities have been added to the stations at a cost of about Rs 1,570 crore. With PTI
July 17, 2026 5:42 pm
PM Modi says 'Modi har dum har pal Punjab ke logon ke saath hai,' amid applause. His speech ends with 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogans.
July 17, 2026 5:42 pm
PM Modi claims the Congress' 'kursi-kissa' is not coming to an end and the SAD is in the same position.
July 17, 2026 5:26 pm
"Punjab is a land of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His rule is remembered even today. Now Punjab is being run on advertisements. Gangwars and extortions are common. Even police stations are being attacked. The future of Punjab being destroyed. Drugs are ruining the state. Those in power in Punjab used to claim to bringing in change. An AAP leader has been convicted for murder of an IB officer in Delhi two days back. AAP MLAs have been caught red handed accepting bribes. There are very few who are clean. The party in power in Punjab is katar be-imaan. An open play on loot is being conducted here. A huge amount was pumped in Punjab but the government did not spend it at the right place. They are taking plans. Budget going to pay interest. They are using own stickers on Centre scheme as in Ayushman Bharat scheme. Farmers are being duped and employees are not getting their rights. Women should have gotten Rs 50,000 in their accounts by now," says PM Modi.
July 17, 2026 5:22 pm
PM Modi says railways used to be a means for the middle class till earlier days, but Congress had never bothered to develop them.
July 17, 2026 5:22 pm
"I pay tributes to Teja Singh Samundri from this occasion," says PM Modi.
July 17, 2026 5:22 pm
Jalandharites needs to be praised for Swachhata se Sarthak activities, says PM modi.
July 17, 2026 5:22 pm
Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnav says works to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore under way in Punjab. PM Modi says Ravidassia community will find it easy to commute to Kashi in the new train. He also says Punjab should progress and the NDA is working on the same.
July 17, 2026 5:17 pm
PM Modi in Jalandhar says, "Punjabiyo kivein ho, Chardi Kala vich ho." He also says, "Ajj Punjab di dharti te aa ke meinu maan mehsus ho reha hai."
July 17, 2026 5:07 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,470 crore in Jalandhar, marking a major development push in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The projects include the redevelopment of 75 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and are aimed at improving connectivity, enhancing passenger amenities and boosting economic growth in the region. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, establishing a direct rail link between two important spiritual and cultural centres. Before flagging off the train, Modi interacted with Dera Sachkhand Ballan head Sant Niranjan Dass and schoolchildren onboard. He arrived at the venue wearing a green turban, a colour often associated with Punjab's farming community. Modi reached Jalandhar after unveiling development projects in Chandigarh and flagging off India's first hydrogen-powered train in Haryana's Jind. This is his second visit to Jalandhar this year after visiting Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February. The visit assumes political significance as the BJP gears up to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections independently. Ahead of the Prime Minister's address, Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu said the redevelopment of the Jalandhar railway station had finally become a reality after decades of neglect. He also took a swipe at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging that the latter skipped the event despite it being important for Punjab's development and instead prioritised political engagements with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. inputs from Deepkamal Kaur/Jalandhar
July 17, 2026 4:25 pm
PM Modi Interacts with Dera Ballan Head Sant Niranjan Dass and achoolgirls before flag-off. Sant Niranjan Dass is the spiritual leader of Dera Sachkhand Ballan (Jalandhar, Punjab). He has been conferred the Padma Shri for his contributions to spirituality and social service.
July 17, 2026 4:14 pm
#WATCH | Punjab: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station to inspect it.
75 redeveloped railway stations from all over India are being dedicated to the nation under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/F49l7SgF5C
July 17, 2026 3:49 pm
Among the leaders on the dais during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jalandhar were president Kewal Dhillon, MPs Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta and Satnam Sandhu, ex-MPs Som Parkash, Avinash Rai Khanna and Shwait Malik, Sunil Jakhar, Ashwani Sharma, Iqbal S Lalpura, Manoranjan Kalia, Rakesh Rathour, Parminder Brar, Rana Gurmeet Sodhi, Jaiveer Shergill along with several other senior leaders. inputs from Deepkamal Kaur/Jalandhar
July 17, 2026 3:05 pm
Elaborate security arrangements were put in place across Punjab on Friday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jalandhar, with police stepping up surveillance at railway stations, highways and other sensitive locations. In Ludhiana, Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma, accompanied by senior officers, inspected the railway station and its surrounding areas to review security preparedness. During the visit, he directed officials to ensure smooth traffic movement and ordered the removal of encroachments outside roadside dhabas, warning that FIRs would be registered against violators if they failed to clear the obstructions within two days. Meanwhile, several Congress and Shiv Sena leaders were reportedly placed under house arrest or detained as a preventive measure ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. Heavy police deployment was witnessed outside the residences of some Shiv Sena leaders after the party announced plans to protest against the alleged false cases registered against its members. Punjab Youth Congress president Shubham Sharma was reportedly stopped at Ladhowal while heading to the Prime Minister's event. Congress leaders had also planned to wear black badges and stage a peaceful protest over the alleged NEET paper leak. However, Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma denied reports of any detentions or house arrests, maintaining that no political leaders had been taken into preventive custody. Inputs from Shivani Bhakoo/Ludhiana
July 17, 2026 2:59 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday unveiled various projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore, spanning healthcare, education and road infrastructure. Following his visit to Haryana's Jind, where he flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat, Modi reached Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh to inaugurate the projects. Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Congress MP Manish Tewari were also present at the event. Among other projects, Modi inaugurated the Advanced Mother and Child Centre and the Advanced Neurosciences Centre at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. Equipped with 300 beds and state-of-the-art medical facilities, the Advanced Mother and Child Centre is expected to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services and benefit thousands of families across the region, said officials. The Advanced Neurosciences Centre will provide integrated services in neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-critical care and advanced diagnostic facilities under one roof. It will ensure timely and world-class treatment for patients suffering from complex neurological disorders while strengthening medical research, education and training in neurosciences. Modi also laid the foundation stone of a 150-bed state-of-the-art Critical Care Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at PGIMER, Chandigarh.
July 17, 2026 2:53 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at public event in Chandigarh, said the Union Territory was "not just a city, but a development model for India." Highlighting the NDA government's focus on Chandigarh, Modi said the Centre had prioritised the city's development through major infrastructure and governance initiatives. "We replaced the penal code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Over the past few years, projects such as the Integrated Command and Control Centre, smart traffic management, smart parking and digital governance have helped transform Chandigarh into a high-tech city. More than Rs 2,500 crore has been spent under this mission," he said. The Prime Minister also announced the expansion of advanced healthcare infrastructure at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). "Today, advanced healthcare facilities are being expanded at PGIMER Chandigarh. Projects such as the Advanced Neuroscience Centre, the Advanced Mother and Child Centre, and the Critical Care Hospital Block will significantly enhance treatment facilities for lakhs of people," Modi said.
July 17, 2026 2:30 pm
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria felicitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chandigarh, where the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore across the healthcare, education and road infrastructure sectors.
July 17, 2026 1:28 pm
Traffic restrictions around Punjab Engineering College (PEC), where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and announce key projects on Friday afternoon, caused inconvenience to commuters in Chandigarh. The road connecting PEC to Nayagaon has been closed, while vehicular movement on the stretch leading to PGIMER Gate No. 2 has been restricted. Traffic has been diverted through the Sector 11 inner roads and other link roads, resulting in longer travel times. People exiting PGIMER Gate No. 2 were also affected, as they had to walk some distance to access public and private transport. On normal days, buses and autorickshaws operate from outside the gate, but on Friday they were allowed to park only partially near the Sector 11 Chemist Market or closer to PGIMER Gate No. 1. Traffic police have been manually regulating traffic in the area, while ambulances and other emergency vehicles are being allowed to pass without restrictions. Officials said the road leading to PGIMER would be temporarily sealed for non-emergency vehicles whenever the Prime Minister's convoy enters or exits the PEC campus. Inputs from Deepankar Sharda/Chandigarh
July 17, 2026 1:12 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Jind has emerged as a symbol of the BJP-NDA government's model of good governance, asserting that Haryana has entered a new phase of development over the past few years. Addressing a public rally after flagging off India's first hydrogen-powered train connecting Jind and Sonipat and inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of multiple development projects, Modi said the day's initiatives had given fresh momentum to the BJP's development agenda. "Today, Jind is becoming a picture of the BJP-NDA's model of good governance. Over the past few years, the entire state of Haryana has embarked on a new path of development. Today's programme is infusing new energy into this mission of the BJP's 'double-engine' government," he said. Calling the launch of the hydrogen-powered train a historic milestone, Modi said the project had secured Jind and Haryana a permanent place in India's railway history. "Today, the name of Jind and Haryana has been etched into the pages of history. From here, the country has received its first hydrogen train. Just as we remember that India's first train ran between Bombay and Thane, the names of Jind, Sonipat and Haryana will now be remembered whenever hydrogen trains are discussed," he said. The Prime Minister also reflected on his long association with the region, saying his visit brought back memories from his early days as an organisational worker. "For me, coming to Jind is like opening a window to old memories. Several decades ago, I first came to Jind for organisational work, and the affection I received here has stayed with me ever since," he said. During his visit, Modi flagged off the country's first hydrogen-powered train and launched development projects worth thousands of crores in road infrastructure, healthcare and education.
July 17, 2026 12:12 pm
Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) burn an effigy of the Central Government at the Golden Gate during a protest against what they termed its anti-farmer, anti-labour and anti-people policies, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jalandhar on Friday. The KMM had called for effigy-burning protests at district headquarters across Punjab. Photo: Vishal Kumar
July 17, 2026 11:48 am
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train connecting Jind to Sonipat in Haryana from the railway station here. Designed, engineered and integrated in India using indigenous technology, the hydrogen-powered train showcases the country's growing capabilities in advanced railway engineering. Styled in a distinctive sky-blue and white colour scheme, the train runs on hydrogen fuel cell technology, which converts hydrogen into electricity to power the train. The only by-product of the process is water vapour, resulting in zero carbon emissions during operation. Compared with diesel trains, hydrogen-powered trains eliminate tailpipe emissions, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and imports, and operate with significantly lower noise levels. Unlike conventional electric trains, they do not require continuous overhead electrification, as electricity is generated onboard through hydrogen fuel cells, making them a cleaner and more efficient alternative. The use of green hydrogen also supports India's transition to sustainable transportation by reducing reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuel-based thermal power plants. India's hydrogen train features a 10-coach configuration, making it one of the longest hydrogen-powered passenger trains developed globally. Equipped with a 3,200 HP propulsion system, it is also among the most powerful hydrogen-powered trainsets currently in operation. PTI inputs
July 17, 2026 11:35 am
Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) president Shuvam Sharma Shubi was detained at the Ladowal toll plaza on Friday while on his way to Jalandhar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the redeveloped Jalandhar Cantonment Railway Station. The Youth Congress had planned a black-flag protest during the Prime Minister's visit, seeking answers from the Centre over the alleged NEET examination paper leak and recruitment-related issues. According to the Congress, the detention was aimed at preventing party workers from staging a peaceful demonstration. The party alleged that the action was intended to "crush democratic dissent and silence the voice of Punjab's youth." The Congress also claimed that the Punjab Police placed Jalandhar Urban District Congress president Angad Dutta and Punjab Youth Congress general secretary Deepak Khosla under house arrest at their respective residences early on Friday, preventing them from participating in or coordinating the protest. In a statement issued after his detention, Shuvam Sharma Shubi alleged that both the Central and Punjab governments had failed to safeguard the interests of students. Referring to the alleged NEET paper leak, he accused the governments of denying accountability and said the Youth Congress would continue to raise the issue. Angad Dutta also alleged that he and Deepak Khosla were confined to their residences, preventing them from coordinating with student groups arriving for the planned protest. Inputs from Deepkamal Kaur/Jalandhar
July 17, 2026 10:26 am
Festive atmosphere prevailed amid tight security arrangements at the HUDA Ground in Jind as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive around 11.12 am to flag off the country's first hydrogen-powered train. People, including a large number of women, began arriving at the venue early in the morning to attend the event. Many women were seen singing traditional geets to welcome what they described as the "train that runs on water" while also singing songs in praise of the Prime Minister. The enclosure designated for men, located to the left of the main stage, was already packed by the morning. Several youngsters reached the venue carrying hand-drawn sketches and portraits of the Prime Minister in both black-and-white and colour. A multi-layered security cover has been put in place around the venue, while the district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles and visitors. A massive shamiana has been erected at the HUDA Ground, about 3 km from the Jind railway station. Separate enclosures have been created for women, VIPs and other invitees. The Prime Minister will flag off the hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat from the Jind railway station. During his visit, he will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of development projects worth around Rs 23,000 crore, spanning road infrastructure, healthcare and education. Inputs from Deepender Deswal/Jind
July 17, 2026 10:20 am
Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Punjab, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) has announced statewide protests against the BJP-led Central Government at district headquarters across the state on Friday. The KMM has also demanded the constitution of a commission to inquire into the killings of innocent Hindus and Sikhs during the militancy period in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s.https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/kisan-mazdoor-morcha-announces-statewide-protests-ahead-of-pm-modis-punjab-visit/
July 17, 2026 10:19 am
The Mohali Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chandigarh on July 17. The advisory will remain in force from 12 noon to 3PM. According to the advisory, traffic moving from Chandigarh towards Karoran/Forest Hills and from Karoran/Forest Hills towards Chandigarh will be diverted via Nada Road/Bridge. Similarly, traffic moving from Chandigarh Lake or PEC (Punjab Engineering College) University towards Nayagaon will be diverted via Kaimbwala Road. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/traffic-advisory-issued-ahead-of-pms-chandigarh-visit-key-routes-to-remain-closed/
July 17, 2026 10:02 am
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonepat at the Jind railway station.