New Delhi, May 14: Following a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that the Union Government has committed to accelerating several long-pending infrastructure projects across Punjab. The discussions with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari centered on clearing bottlenecks for stalled flyovers and expanding key road corridors to enhance the state’s connectivity and road safety.
A primary focus of the meeting was the Wallah Flyover in Amritsar, a critical project that connects the international airport with Sri Harmandir Sahib. The Chief Minister maintained that the project, originally due for completion in 2023, has reached approximately 76 percent completion despite multiple extensions. Mann stated that the delay has caused significant traffic congestion and safety risks for both residents and visitors. “It is the need of the hour that NHAI takes urgent remedial action for expeditious completion of the remaining work on the Wallah Flyover so that the project is completed in a time-bound manner,” the Chief Minister affirmed.
The state also gained assurances for the expansion of several key routes, including the four-laning of the Bhawanigarh to Kotshamir road and the corridors connecting Malerkotla to Barnala. Mann raised the strategic importance of the Ferozepur-Fazilka road, seeking its declaration as a National Highway due to its proximity to the international border and high accident rates. He asserted that the current two-lane configuration is inadequate for military and civilian traffic, noting that a four-lane upgrade is essential for national security and public safety.
During the dialogue, Minister Gadkari acknowledged the effectiveness of Punjab’s ‘Sadak Surakhya Force’ (SSF), a dedicated wing established to protect lives on the highways. Mann stated that the Union Minister highly appreciated the unique initiative and its role in reducing fatalities. The Chief Minister also sought the release of pending funds under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund to ensure that ongoing construction works do not face further interruptions.
