Suspension of three national highway projects in Punjab taken up in Parliament; Gadkari reacts
PTC Web Desk: The suspension of three national highway projects in Punjab --- Ludhiana-Ropar-Kharar project, South Ludhiana Bypass and the Amritsar to Tanda project --- was brought to attention in Parliament by Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Friday.
In response, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari explained that the projects were halted due to difficulties in land acquisition. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had to cancel projects worth Rs 3,303 crore because of obstacles in acquiring the necessary land.
Nitin Gadkari said the Central Government had sent a proposal to the Punjab Government, aiming to meet land acquisition and other essential requirements to continue the projects. Currently, about 1,500 km of national highways, costing Rs 52,000 crore, are under development in Punjab.
On the other hand, delays in land acquisition compensation have led to financial setbacks for the NHAI. Contractors working on the projects became aware of the contract terminations or halts and subsequently filed claims against the NHAI.
Earlier too, the NHAI had expressed dissatisfaction with the Punjab Government's alleged lax approach. This discontent led to the decision to terminate three projects in Punjab worth Rs 3,303 crore — Ludhiana-Ropar-Kharar project, South Ludhiana Bypass and the Amritsar to Tanda project.
Last month, NHAI chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav addressed a letter to Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, highlighting the risks posed to not only the Rs 8,245 crore project but also additional projects worth Rs 42,175 crore due to bureaucratic delays.
One of the most crucial projects, Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway, is also in jeopardy. Land acquisition and award processes in Tarn Taran and Amritsar remain incomplete, leaving the project in limbo.
- With inputs from agencies
