The Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab Government would construct 1253 KM highways with the cost of 12280 crore in 3 years to make Punjab having the world class road infrastructure.Today reviewing the ongoing and proposed road network projects in the state, Mr. Badal said that presently construction on 617KM highways is on full swing with the cost of 5580 crore whereas 636 KM highways with the cost of Rs 6700 crore were also in the pipeline.These projects mainly included to interconnect all major cities with 4-6 lanes which would be completed in the coming 3 years as deadlines have been set for these projects, he added. Environmental, forest and wild life clearances have already been taken by the Punjab Government.
Giving the details of these projects, Mr. Badal said that the ongoing projects mainly included 4 laning of 44 KM road Bhogpur to Mukerian with the cost of Rs 300 crore , which would be completed in march2014, whereas 4 laning of pathankot to Amritsar, having a stretch of 102 KM, would be completed till march 2014 with Rs 705 crore. Besides that 4 laning of Ludhiana to Talwandi would also be completed in September 2014 with the cost of Rs 479 crore.In proposed 4-6 lane highways, Punjab is also all set to connect the Manchester of India to Chandigarh by 6 lanes with Rs 1800 crore. It includes 90 KM length, for which detailed project report has been submitted. Work for this project would be allotted in March 2014 anddeadline to complete this ambitious project has been set by September 2016. Besides that much awaited 6 laning of Jalandhar to Dhilwan road on NH-1 has also been sanctioned with Rs 500 crore, which would be completed till July 2015.To ease out traffic from Kharar to Kurali, 13.6 KM roads would be constructed at a cost of , Rs 220 crore has also been sanctioned for this project which would be completed by December 2015.
Badal also said that to give a big push to the development of Malwa belt, 4 laning of Patiala-Bathinda has also been sanctioned. It may be mentioned here that this 166.445 KM life line of Malwa, would be completed with Rs 2430.90 crore in a record time period of 2 and half year. PWD officials informed that forest, wild life, environmental and utility clearances have been sought from the concerned authorities. Work on this project to be kicked off in August 2014, which is to be finished by August 2016. Besides that 4 laning of 174.64 KM long Amritsar-Bathinda highway is also on the advanced stage, which is to cost Rs 2420 crore. It would include 7 bypasses, 4 grid separators and 3 ROBs. The whole project would be accomplished till September 2016.To connect Jalandhar and Barnala with 4 lane, Punjab Government has also sanctioned Rs 1944 crore for 146 KM road, whereas 56.89KMroadfrom Sangrur-Patran up to Haryana Border would also be 4 laned with Rs 524.81crore.
For the strengthening of link roads across the state, Mr Badal also said that by September 30, 2014 all link roads would be strengthened and renovated, for which an amount of Rs 76374 lakh has already been sanctioned. PWD officials informed the Deputy Chief Minister that out of 372 tenders, 72 have been opened. Mr. Badal asked the officials to open the remaining tenders till 31 January. He also ordered the PWD and Mandi Board to initiate a joint campaign to identify the areas which needs new roads.Mr. Badal has also sanctioned 7 new 4 lane ROBs costing Rs 400crore, which would be constructed on Amritsar-Taran Taran Road, Faridkot-Talwandi Bhai Road, Kotkapura-Faridkot Road,Two in Ferozepur cantonment besides ROB at Bathinda-Dabwaliroad.ROB at Bathinda-Dabwali Road would be constructed with the estimated cost of 57crore.Prominent amongst present in the meeting included Secretary PWD PS Aujla, Secretary Local Bodies Ashok Gupta and Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Rajat Aggarwal.