Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday rolled out a ₹516 crore development push in Hoshiarpur, combining a major expansion of healthcare infrastructure with new projects on the ground in the Sham Chaurasi assembly segment. Addressing a state-level gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences will be completed within two years and will train 100 MBBS doctors annually, alongside a 300-bed hospital equipped with advanced facilities including OPD, MRI, CT scan and specialised departments.
Strengthening grassroots healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of a 30-bed Community Health Centre in Sham Chaurasi, equipped with modern operation theatre, lab, X-ray, vaccination and maternal care services, which will benefit over 40 villages. He also announced seven additional Health and Wellness Centres in the constituency to expand last-mile healthcare access, underlining that the Punjab Government is committed to delivering quality medical services closer to people’s homes.
Further boosting connectivity, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of the ₹99 crore Balachaur–Garhshankar–Hoshiarpur–Dasuya road project. The 105 km corridor will connect Chandigarh to Pathankot and Jammu & Kashmir via Balachaur, Hoshiarpur and Dasuya, reduce travel time between Jammu and Delhi, and facilitate smoother access for devotees travelling to Anandpur Sahib, Mata Naina Devi and Mata Jwala Ji, reinforcing the Punjab Government’s push for balanced regional development.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of several key projects in the Sham Chaurasi assembly segment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government has filled the gap of 70 years and now concerted efforts are being made to carve out a Rangla Punjab. The AAP government is the first one in the country to implement the People’s Manifesto as all the genuine demands raised by the people are being translated into works.”
Highlighting major development initiatives, he added, “Today development works worth ₹385 crore have been launched at Sham Chaurasi, which will give impetus to the progress and prosperity of the region.” He added, “A Medical College and 300 bedded Hospital will come at Hoshiarpur at a cost of ₹268 crore, which will be a big bonanza for the general public. It will go a long way in imparting quality health services to the people besides emerging the state as a hub of medical education.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out, “Captain Amarinder Singh and Parkash Singh Badal never resided in the official residences meant for the Chief Ministers in Chandigarh during their tenure. Rather, these leaders lived in their own palatial houses that have been constructed in Chandigarh as they didn’t feel comfortable in the government houses. Akalis got five opportunities to govern the state but instead of serving the people they mercilessly plundered the people and state.”
Taking a jibe at the Akali Dal’s ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “The real name of this gimmick of Akali Dal is Parivar Bachao Yatra. After looting the state for 15 years, from whom are they trying to save the state? Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly besides bruising the psyche of Punjabis emotionally and patronizing several mafias in the state. The Akali leadership can never be forgiven as it was responsible for the genocide of several generations of the state as drug trade was patronized by them and bloomed during their long era of misrule.”
Taking on opposition leaders further, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sukhbir Badal is not aware about the ground realities as throughout his life he has lived in a secured environment with luxuries and opulence. Sukhbir Singh Badal is a convent educated political leader of Punjab who is not aware of the basic topography of the state but wants to attain political power in Punjab. Leaving everything aside, the former Deputy Chief Minister cannot even differentiate the basic crops of the state as he has scant knowledge about the basic issues.”
He added, “Captain Amarinder Singh and his family has a dubious track record of deceiving Punjab by standing by every force inimical to the state whether they were Mughals, Britishers or now BJP. When the people of the state had elected him as Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh confined himself to the palace only and visited the state only 10 times. Those who proclaimed to be savior of the waters of the state had destroyed water and those who projected themselves as sewadars of bani failed to check desecration.”
On agriculture and power, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of the state more than eight hours of uninterrupted power has been supplied to farm tube wells during paddy season. Farmers are now receiving electricity during the daytime for irrigation for the first time, which has transformed their lives. The state government is judiciously utilizing every single penny of the state exchequer for the well being of the people.”
Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot, Lok Sabha MLA Dr Rajkumar Chabbewal and others were also present on the occasion.