‘Even though BJP not in power here…’: PM Modi’s big rail, road push in Punjab ahead of elections

Political Outreach and Developmental Initiatives in Punjab

Bharatmorningnews.com – Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated a series of infrastructure projects in Jalandhar on Friday, focusing on railway and road development. The event, held during an official function, marked the start of his efforts to boost Punjab’s progress despite the BJP’s absence from power in the state. Later, at a BJP rally, Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to Punjab’s growth, highlighting his party’s role in driving change.

Modi’s Statements on Developmental Priorities

“Although the BJP is not currently governing Punjab, the Central government remains dedicated to its development,” Modi stated. “Only the BJP can deliver genuine transformation to the state,” he added, underscoring his party’s capability to drive progress.

In his address, Modi claimed that the BJP, though never in sole power in Punjab, would spearhead initiatives to enhance economic opportunities and global connectivity for the region. “New investments will flow into Punjab, and its products will reach international markets—this will be the BJP’s legacy,” he said, according to posts on the BJP’s official X account.

Targeting Opposition Parties

Modi criticized the ruling AAP and Congress, accusing them of prioritizing internal power struggles over Punjab’s welfare. “The Congress is stuck in chair politics; their focus is not on development but on who holds the leadership,” he remarked, likely referencing the rift between state Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Charanjit Singh Channi.

He also mocked the AAP government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and national leader Arvind Kejriwal, targeting Kejriwal’s self-proclaimed identity as “kattar imaandar” (stalwart and fearless). “The party in charge today lacks clarity and honesty—its essence is ‘kattar beimaan’ (unscrupulous),” Modi asserted.

Infrastructure Highlights

Modi’s focus on railways was central to his activities in Punjab and Haryana. In Jind, Haryana, he launched India’s first hydrogen-powered train, a milestone in sustainable transportation. The visit included the unveiling of seven new railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with four located in Punjab: Jalandhar Cantonment, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Sri Anandpur Sahib.

A key project was the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli rail line, costing ₹830 crore as part of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian New Rail Line Project. Officials highlighted its potential to improve connectivity between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, benefiting areas like Hoshiarpur and Una, while also enhancing access to religious sites such as Shri Anandpur Sahib and the Maa Chintpurni Temple.

Modi also inaugurated the Kartoli-Ambala train service, which aims to strengthen regional links. Additionally, he launched the Sant Ravidas Express, connecting Amritsar to Varanasi, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Ravidassia community ahead of Guru Ravidas’s 650th Parkash Purab celebrations.

Broader Political Context

This visit followed Modi’s earlier appearance in Jalandhar this year, after a February stop at the Dera Sachkhand Ballan, a significant hub for the Ravidassia sect. The event is viewed as a strategic move to position the BJP for the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, with the party now campaigning independently after its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal dissolved during the 2020-21 farmers’ protests.

Alongside rail projects, Modi also announced highway developments worth over ₹3,070 crore. These included the inauguration of the 30.9-km ‘Package 6’ section of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and the laying of the foundation for a 25.2-km Southern Ludhiana Bypass. The initiatives aim to enhance mobility across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

Modi’s presence in Jalandhar was accompanied by a visit to the Jalandhar Cantt railway station with Niranjan Dass, the head of the Dera Sachkhand Ballan, who recently received a Padma award. This interaction underscored the Prime Minister’s engagement with diverse communities ahead of the upcoming elections.