*Rs.55,000-CR NHs & OTHER ROAD PROJECTS TO PUSH PUNJAB’S DEVELOPMENT*
*PWD MINISTER REVIEWS NATIONAL HIGHWAYS PROJECTS IN STATE, ASKS NHAI TO EXPEDITE ROAD CONNECTIVITY WORKS*
Chandigarh, July 13:
In order to further strengthen and improve the road network in the state, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is working strenuously and the construction of 32 major road projects of 1288 Km length at a cost of Rs.55,000 crore are being implemented.
It was disclosed by the Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO, while presiding over a review meeting with the officials of Public Works and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) here at Punjab Bhawan.
Divulging further, the Cabinet Minister said, the state government was committed to the overall development of the state, adding that government is working in the public interest with utmost sincerity.
The Minister was apprised that NHAI was working on new road projects in the state, which included 1286 kms Greenfield and 505 kms Brownfield roads and works for 32 projects of 1288 kms have been awarded to the tune of around Rs.55,000 crores. Of these, 8 projects are under implementation in the state and the Appointed Dates of the remaining projects is expected to be fixed shortly.
Besides this, the issues relating to direct link from Jalandhar-Amritsar NH to Tarn Taran bypassing Jandiala Guru, State road network development as part of overall road network, possibility of linking Sultanpur Lodhi to Beas so as to provide easy access to the religious places related to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, lack of repair on Amritsar-Mehta-Sri Hargobindpur, Baba Bakala-Mehta-Batala and Amritsar-Ramdas-Dera Baba Nanak National Highways, bad condition of service roads in Ludhiana/Rajpura, Jandiala Guru, Daburji and other roads besides waterlogging on service roads at various location, construction of Vehicular Underpasses and flyovers on Jalandhar-Amritsar National Highway, inadequate maintanence of diversion routes adjoining NH where work is in process and road safety works, were discussed threadbare.
The Minister directed that encroachment near roads should be removed keeping in view the safety of the commuters. He also directed to ensure proper advance warning signages and diversion routes, improving drainage & re-carpeting of roads for the commuters of two/three wheelers at toll plazas.
