MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora presided over a high-level review meeting of various ongoing development projects in the district at Bachat Bhawan here on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, ADCs, SDMs, Civil Surgeon and representatives from the office of the District Development and Panchayat Officer, PWD, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Punjab Sewerage Board, Railways, ESI Medical Hospital and College and Private Contractors were present in at the meeting.
In this meeting, Arora reviewed the matters related to, VUPs on Jalandhar Bypass and Dhandari Kalan, Cycle Track along Highway, Ludhiana-Bathinda Highway, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Highway, Parking Lots along Elevated Highway, Missing Links on Ludhiana-Kharar Highway (one at Katani Kalan and other two at Jatana Uncha and Khant Manpur, waterlogged situation at service road near Sherpur other NHAI projects in Ludhiana district, upgradation of Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, upgradation of ESIC Hospital and new ESIC Medical College, Ludhiana and Halwara International Airport among other issues.
Arora discussed each issue in detail with the concerned officials and strictly asked them to complete all the projects within the timeframe. He was apprised with some of the issues and problems being faced in completion of the projects by the concerned departmental officials.
Arora, while complimenting DC on progress, asked him to resolve all the issues and problems related to the administrative level as soon as possible. He even asked specific deadlines for completion of the projects from the officials concerned.
After listening to the officials, Arora assured that all pending issues related to possession of lands for the ongoing NHAI projects would be resolved soon with intervention of the local administration.
He asked to push for getting possession of the land especially where compensation is paid. He asked the officials to speed up the work with proper coordination with all the departments concerned.
Arora was apprised that adequate compensation amount was being given to the landowners in lieu of acquisition of their lands and wherever release of funds is pending immediate action is being taken.
Arora was apprised that a feasibility report was carried out for starting work of VUPs on Jalandhar Bypass and Dhandari Kalan. As per this feasibility report, three VUPs have been found viable for the construction.
Arora said these VUPs are very much important for ensuring complete safety to passengers at these accident-prone sites. Further Arora spoke to RO Vipnesh Sharma of NHAI and was assured that the tendering process for these VUPs will start within this month.
He also directed for immediate removal of encroachments falling on 26-Km-long cycle track (both sides). 3 Sidhwan Canal bridges will be completed by June 2025 and 4th one by July 2025. Civil Surgeon (CS), Ludhiana apprised Arora about the ongoing development works in the hospital under CSR and MPLAD Funds in.
Arora asked the Civil Surgeon to let him know if more funds are required for the upgradation of the civil hospital. He directed CS to complete all the works next month and utilize all the allocated funds to ensure quality work.
He also directed to beautify the main entrance of Civil Hospital besides other ongoing works. Whole of Civil upgradation will be completed by 15th of February including new operation theatres, civil works and Addressing the officials, Arora said the city will get another 100 MBBS seats during next academic session (2025-26), adding that 50 MBBS seats will be started at the newly formed ESI Medical College at existing premises and additional 50 MBBS seats will be added in DMCH, Ludhiana.
He said this will be a great milestone for the city in the education sector. On the occasion, Arora asked the AAI officials to send their report to the higher ups that the terminal at the Halwara Airport is complete.
AAI officials have assured that the report will be sent within a week. He directed all the officials concerned from AAI, PWD, contractors to resolve all the pending issues required for beginning of this project so that passage should be cleared for early start of the flights from this airport.
Further Arora informed that Air India has shown its interest to start flights as soon as it gets approval from AAI and also, they are going ahead with a proposal to apply for Airport code. He said the project has already missed many deadlines for many unforeseen reasons.