NEW DELHI, July 23 — Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, Member of Parliament from Patiala, met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari this week, pressing for the urgent four-laning of the Patiala–Patran stretch of State Highway No. 10.
Dr. Gandhi described the highway as a critical regional corridor facing rising traffic pressure and mounting safety concerns. Citing the recent tragic death of eight schoolchildren in a road accident along this route just six weeks ago, he stressed the urgent need for infrastructural upgrades.
“This two-lane stretch is no longer sufficient to handle the growing vehicular load. It’s not just a matter of inconvenience — it’s a matter of life and death,” Dr. Gandhi told the minister.
In response, Minister Gadkari acknowledged the gravity of the issue but explained that current central guidelines require a formal proposal from the respective state government before any state highway can be considered under central funding or national road development plans.
“The Centre cannot take up state highway projects suo motu under the revised policy. The state must initiate the process,” Gadkari told the MP.
Dr. Gandhi assured the minister he would approach the Punjab Government to formally submit the necessary proposal, enabling the Centre to move forward with the highway’s inclusion under national development schemes.
The meeting marked a significant step in efforts to modernise critical infrastructure in the Patiala region, with hopes that state and central coordination can expedite the project.
