Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stones for 12 NH projects in Punjab
Sept 16, 2016: Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping laid the foundation stones of 12 major National Highways (NH) projects in Punjab. The state witnessed a major step towards world class road connectivity in all major cities worth Rs. 10596.19 crore at Ropar, Samrala and Jalandhar. These road projects mainly include four laning of Jalandhar-Barnala, Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur, Ropar-Phagwara, Kharar-Kurali, Chandigarh-Kharar, Kharar-Ludhiana roads besides elevated road in Ludhiana city.
The projects would provide world class road connectivity to commuters between Doaba and Malwa along with adjoining Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in next two years. Chandigarh would also be connected with four lane roads with all major cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
Addressing the gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony at Ropar, Gadkari announced the sanction of (a) 313 kilometer long new NH in Punjab, (b) Jalandhar to Ajmer for Mumbai 4/6 lane 580 kilometre long National Highway worth Rs 8000 crore and (c) Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway worth Rs 60,000 crore reducing 117 kilometre distance which at present is 732 kilometre. He said that today 22 km roads are being constructed per day as compared to 2 km per day during the time of previous government. Gadkari assured that funds will be no problem to ensure all round development and progress of Punjab.
The work on these projects would start in full swing as the deadline has been fixed to complete the projects in the coming two years. Punjab has the highest road densities amongst Indian states at 133 kilometre per 100 square kilometre with total 64,500 kilometre road network in the state. Punjab is also amongst the well served states and has road availability above the national average of 240.10 kilometre per 1 lakh population.
In his address Gadkari also said that waterways will be encouraged to boost up the economy in the state of Punjab and throughout the country to reduce the costs of transportation of goods. He informed that 40 water-ports are being constructed and 111 rivers have been declared as National waterways in India. Ethanol Fuel will be encouraged to strengthen the economy of the country with a focus on welfare of Gaon, Gareeb and Kisan (village, poor and farmer).
