Punjab: PM Modi To Lay Foundation Stones Of Multiple Projects, 10,000 Security Personnel Deployed

PM Modi is visiting Punjab after a gap of two years and will lay the foundation stones of projects worth Rs 42,750 crore. Punjab goes to polls this year.

New Delhi: Nearly 10,000 security personnel have been stationed in Punjab's Ferozepur district ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Wednesday. PM Modi's visit to Punjab, his first since the Centre withdrew the contentious farm laws, has been opposed by some farmer organisations.

According to authorities, an anti-drone squad has also been deployed in the border district. Modi is visiting Punjab after a gap of two years and will lay the foundation stones of projects worth Rs 42,750 crore. Punjab goes to polls this year.

The farmer unions are seeking from the government a law to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for crops and withdraw police cases against farmers who protested against the Centre's farm laws.

"Adequate security arrangements have been made ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab's Ferozepur. Around 10,000 security personnel will be deployed in the border district," PTI quoted Additional Director General of Police G Nageswara Rao as saying.

According to authorities, the Punjab Police is coordinating with the NSG, Army, and BSF to ensure foolproof security measures.

PM Modi To Lay Foundation Stones Of Multiple Development Projects In Punjab

PM Modi will lay foundation stones of development projects worth over Rs 42,750 crore, including the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway and a PGIMER satellite centre in Ferozepur.

The 669-km-long Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway will be developed at a cost of about Rs 39,500 crore, and it will halve the travel time from Delhi to Amritsar and Delhi to Katra, the PMO said.

The projects also include the four-laning of the Amritsar-Una segment, the construction of a wide gauge railway line between Mukerian and Talwara, and the establishment of two new medical institutions in Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur.

Modi's visit is significant since the state is going to polls, and the BJP has joined forces with former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Akali group led by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.