New Delhi, May 14: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has secured federal backing for a massive upgrade to Punjab’s road infrastructure after a successful meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The agreement paves the way for the completion of delayed overbridges in Makhu, Adampur, and Bhawanigarh, while setting the stage for several state roads to be upgraded to National Highway status.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur-Manali Road as a priority, noting its significance for religious tourism and its proximity to the Adampur Airbase. He stated that although a four-laning project was sanctioned years ago, it remained incomplete due to contractual terminations. Mann affirmed that a new detailed project report will be submitted shortly to restart the work. He also requested that the Chandigarh-Landran-Chunni-Sirhind road be declared a National Highway, citing its heavy usage by devotees traveling to Fatehgarh Sahib.
Safety and decongestion were central themes of the discussion, particularly regarding the town of Bhawanigarh. The Chief Minister asserted that the transition from a four-lane highway to a two-lane state road has created a dangerous bottleneck. “Bhawanigarh is a densely populated town where commercial establishments and markets have developed along both sides of the National Highway,” Mann stated, urging the construction of an elevated corridor to protect local residents from fast-moving transit traffic.
The meeting also addressed the need for better infrastructure along the border belt. Mann declared that the Dharamkot-Zira-Ferozepur-Fazilka road is of vital strategic and defense importance, requiring immediate widening. He maintained that the Union Minister’s appreciation for the state’s ‘Sadak Surakhya Force’ reinforces Punjab’s commitment to modernizing road management. With the Centre’s assurance on these projects, the state expects a significant reduction in travel time and a boost to regional economic development.
