The state would witness major facelift in the road network as the Punjab Government has in principal given go ahead for the strengthening of 9000 kms of Link Roads with the total cost of Rs. 1000 cores. Similarly New Green Field Expressway from New Delhi to Katra via Amritsar is in the offing which would be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India. Likewise Punjab Government is contemplating to construct Ring Roads around all the major cites of the state for which the feasibility study is being carried out. It was disclosed by Mrs. Razia Sultana, PWD Minister while chairing the high level review meeting of the department. The Minister said that the year 2018 would witness major infrastructural development in the state as the Chief Minister, Mr. Amarinder Singh is personally keen to upgrade the link road network in the state. The minister said that Landran junction in S.A.S Nagar would soon be upgraded with the cost of Rs. 23. She said that the instruction for the land acquisition has been given by the Chief Minister and the work on this project would be commenced in the next financial year.The spokesperson of the PWD department said that during the meeting the PWD Minister said that the project for the strengthening of the link roads would cover the Link Roads other than the link roads under Mandi Board.
The Minister said that the concerted efforts of the Punjab Government born fruits as a New Green Field Expressway from New Delhi to Katra via Amritsar is being finalized. This expressway would be constructed by the National Highway Authority of India for which alignment is being freezed very shortly. “Likewise under Bharat Mala Scheme NHAI is upgrading 800 kms of State Road to forlained National Highway, work on this project would also commenced shortly,” said that Minister.After being inquired by Mrs. Razia Sultana about the delay in the widening of major road projects, Mr. A.K. Singla, Chief Engineer said that all these projects has been halted because of the NGT ban on tree felling. He said that the development work on all the projects is underway where the forest clearance has been accorded.The Minister was apprised that there is no dearth of funding by state government but some of the central government funded projects are being delayed due to the delay in release of funds.While reviewing the progress on National Highways the Minister instructed to complete the work till December 31, 2018. She specially asked the Chief Engineer to ensure that all the signages along the roads must bear Punjabi language at the top. Besides Mr. Hussan Lal, Principal Secretary the meeting was attended by all the Chief Engineers of difference wings of the department.Detailed power point presentations were given by all the Chief Engineers highlighting the status of work on Link Roads, National Highways, Buildings and other infrastructural projects.PWD Minister also instructed the officers to expedite the process of promotions by conducting DPC in time bound manner. Instruction has also been given to strengthen the quality control wing of the department to ensure the quality of the construction of the Roads, Buildings and Bridges.Prominent amongst other who were present in the meeting included Mr. A.K Singla, Chief Engineer, National Highways, Mr. Arvinder Singh, Chief Engineer, North, Mr. Satish Gupta, Chief Engineer, South, Mr. Mukesh Goyal, Chief Engineer, PRBDB and Mr. J.S Mann, Chief Engineer, Central.