Hoshiarpur, April 7
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday rolled out a healthcare and infrastructure push in Hoshiarpur, laying the foundation for a ₹268 crore medical college and 300-bed hospital while announcing the establishment of the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences to be completed within two years. In a gathering in Sham Chaurasi, Mann asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Government is firmly committed to delivering world-class healthcare at people’s doorsteps, detailing a comprehensive ecosystem that will train 100 MBBS doctors annually and provide advanced facilities including MRI, CT scan, specialised surgeries and modern treatment.
Strengthening last-mile healthcare delivery, Mann also laid the foundation stone of a ₹9.18 crore Community Health Centre to benefit over 40 villages, alongside seven additional Health and Wellness Centres in the constituency. Expanding the development push, Mann further initiated the ₹99 crore Balachaur–Garhshankar–Hoshiarpur–Dasuya road project, a 105 km corridor set to enhance connectivity between Chandigarh, Pathankot and Jammu & Kashmir, reduce travel time between Jammu and Delhi, and facilitate smoother access for devotees travelling to Anandpur Sahib, Mata Naina Devi and Mata Jwala Ji.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of several key projects in the Sham Chaurasi assembly segment, Mann said, “For more than 70 long years in the post-independence era the traditional opposition parties have mercilessly looted the state. Due to regressive and divisive policies of these parties the state has lagged behind in the pace of development due to which the people had suffered. However, in the last four years holistic development of the state has been ensured and for the first time the state government has fulfilled all the promises made with people in such a short span.”
The Chief Minister stated, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that development of the state has been put on the right track and now the Punjab Government is enhancing its pace with every passing day. 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, Mann 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.”
Targeting opposition parties, Mann asserted, “Opposition parties are hatching conspiracies to defame me as they are envious of the works being done by the state government for the well being of the masses. These leaders are hand in glove with each other and play the game of musical chairs to secure the interests of each other while in power. However, the AAP government has upset their applecart by ousting them from power thereby fulfilling the aspirations of the common people.”
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.”
Mann further said, “Not only this the Akalis betrayed the people by using religion too for securing their vested interests. The Jathedars for the supreme Takhts were chosen from the envelopes given by the Akali leaders. The former Deputy Chief Minister claims that massive development of the state took place during their regime but turns blind eye towards Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and others where sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place and innocents were killed.”
