On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth approximately ₹14,700 crores at the Eklavya Stadium in Jind, Haryana.
The event was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Among the key projects are national highway initiatives costing over ₹12,470 crores. The Prime Minister dedicated the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, a four-lane, fully access-controlled corridor spanning 157.92 kilometers, built at a cost of around ₹9,680 crores.
Impact on Travel Times
This greenfield corridor, part of the 667-kilometer Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from approximately 14 hours to just six hours, and between Delhi and Amritsar from about eight hours to four hours. The project aims to alleviate congestion on NH-44 (GT Road), enhance the movement of pilgrims and tourists heading to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, and promote industrial and logistics development along the corridor.
Modi’s Address to the People
During his speech, Modi expressed his joy at being in Jind, a land rich in history, valor, and pride. He reminisced about his first visit to Jind decades ago for organizational work and acknowledged the warmth and affection he received from the people. He noted that while the essence of Jind remains unchanged, the spirit of its people has evolved, with Jind now representing the governance model of the BJP-NDA.
A New Era of Development
Modi highlighted that Haryana is on a new path of development, with the current event energizing the mission of the double-engine BJP government. He stated that Jind and Haryana have now etched their names in history, marking the introduction of the country’s first hydrogen train. He recalled that the first train in India operated between Bombay and Thane, and similarly, Jind will be remembered in the future discussions about hydrogen trains. Additionally, he announced over ₹14,000 crores worth of other projects for Haryana, including new railway and highway initiatives, heritage-related projects, and two medical colleges dedicated to serving the state.
A Call for Cleanliness
Modi concluded by urging the residents of Jind to embrace cleanliness as a way of life, questioning whether his presence was necessary for promoting sanitation. He emphasized that if the people of Jind and Haryana commit to maintaining cleanliness, the region can remain clean. He encouraged making cleanliness a part of daily life and highlighted the evolution of railways from steam engines in the 19th century to hydrogen-powered trains in the 21st century.