Chandigarh, April 3: Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora declared a series of urban reforms on Friday, headlined by a ₹1,300 crore initiative to overhaul 2,120 km of municipal roads. The Minister stated that the administration aims to finish the work before June to ensure that commuters benefit from smooth, pothole-free surfaces during the monsoon season.
The government is also providing financial relief to residents by extending the OTS scheme for Improvement Trusts. Property owners with pending non-construction fees can now avail a 50 percent rebate if they settle their accounts by April 30, 2026. Minister Arora affirmed that despite the push for revenue, there are no plans to raise property tax rates for the public.
“House tax collection for the fiscal year 2025–26 has reached ₹600 crore, up from ₹500 crore in 2024–25,” the Minister noted. He added that the department is focused on recovering existing arrears rather than placing new burdens on taxpayers.
Significant changes to the ease-of-doing-business framework were also announced. The requirement for STP approvals has been relaxed, now applying only to plots exceeding half an acre. Furthermore, the building plan process has been streamlined to a single-submission model to cut down on bureaucratic delays.
On the environmental and utility front, the state is investing heavily in water conservation and waste management. Minister Arora stated that ₹700 crore has been designated for surface water systems to protect groundwater. He further affirmed that 30 new Water Treatment Plants, valued at approximately ₹800 crore, will be allotted in the current quarter.
Modernization of emergency services remains a priority, with ₹131 crore allocated for fire service upgrades. The Minister declared that the establishment of 13 new fire stations would bolster the state’s response capabilities. Meanwhile, sewerage projects worth ₹700 crore are scheduled for allotment this quarter to ensure comprehensive urban coverage.
