Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has issued a stern warning to the Punjab government, threatening to cancel eight major highway projects in the state if the law and order situation does not improve. The projects, valued at approximately Rs 14,288 crore, are in jeopardy due to ongoing security concerns and delays.
In a letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Gadkari expressed his disappointment over the lack of progress in addressing the issues related to land acquisition and law enforcement. He cited recent incidents of violence and intimidation against National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officers and workers involved in the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.”
In one incident in Jalandhar District, the Engineer of the Contractor was brutally assaulted,” Gadkari wrote. “In another incident in Ludhiana District, the project camp of the contractor of Delhi-Katra Expressway was attacked by miscreants and also threatened the Engineers to burn the project camp and their staff alive.”
The Union Minister emphasized that the cancellation of even one segment of these greenfield corridors could render the entire project ineffective. He urged the Punjab government to take immediate corrective measures, including the registration of FIRs and strict action against those responsible for the attacks.”
If the situation does not improve, NHAI will have no other option but to cancel/terminate 8 other severely affected projects with a total length of 293 km costing Rs 14,288 crore,” Gadkari warned.
This warning comes on the heels of NHAI already terminating three projects worth Rs 3,263 crore due to land acquisition delays. Gadkari had previously assured stakeholders that issues related to land acquisition and law enforcement would be resolved on priority.”
However, it has been brought to my notice that no progress has been made in this regard and the situation has further worsened,” Gadkari said in his letter.
The Punjab government has yet to respond to Gadkari’s warning. Meanwhile, industry experts and local residents have expressed concern over the potential loss of infrastructure development and employment opportunities in the state if the projects are indeed cancelled.
