New Delhi: Punjab witnessed a major step towards world class road connectivity in all major cities as Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari yesterday laid the foundation stones of 12 major National Highways projects worth Rs. 10596.19 crore at Ropar, Samrala and Jalandhar in the state. These road projects mainly include 4 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 2 years. Chandigarh would also be connected with 4 lane roads with all major cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
Addressing the gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony at Ropar, Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari announced the sanction of (1) 313 KMs long new National Highways in Punjab,(2)Jalandhar to Ajmer for Mumbai 4/6 lane 580 KMs long National Highway worth Rs 8000 crore and (3)Delhi -Amritsar- Katra Expressway worth Rs 60,000 crore reducing117 KMs distance which at present is 732 Km. 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. Shri 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 km per 100 sq. km with total 64,500 KMs road network in the state. Punjab is also amongst the well served states and has road availability above the national average of 240.10 km per 1 lakh population.
In his address Shri 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).
