Punjab to upgrade 18,944 km of link roads: CM Bhagwant Mann

Time of India

23-04-2025

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday launched a "first-of-its-kind" initiative for the repair and upgrade of 18,944 km of link roads at a cost of Rs 3,459.95 crore. Alleging past corruption in road construction, he asserted that there will now be no compromise on quality.
Speaking at an interactive session, 'Sadak Dhaancha Vikas Milni', at Tagore Theatre, Mann said such a function was organised for the first time to ensure quality construction of roads. "The motive of the campaign is to facilitate the people as these link roads act as a catalyst in commuting and smooth transportation of goods and services to people," he said.
He said the total link road network in the state extends to 64,878 km, and high-quality repair will be undertaken wherever required. "The link roads are the arteries of economic growth in the state. Construction work will be taken up on priority as most of these stretches have remained unattended even after passing their life of six years. The company constructing the road will be responsible for the maintenance of these roads for five years," he said.
Taking a jibe at the rampant corruption prevalent earlier in the construction of roads, Mann said: "Earlier, there was a share of those in higher and lower echelons of power in the tenders for the construction of roads. In such a situation, the contractors had to compromise on the quality of roads. But now, corrupt practices have come to an end, so the contractors must focus on the quality of roads to be constructed," he said.
Mann announced that a coordination committee will be constituted among the Mandi Board, PWD, and contractors to resolve all the issues in the construction of roads. He added that if any officer indulges in corrupt activity, then strict action will be taken against them. The panchayats will be asked to ensure the proper width of the roads to facilitate the construction of these roads, he said.
The CM said for the first time in the history of the state, his govt has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) in the working of the state govt. He added that due to its usage, the govt has saved Rs 226.89 crore merely in estimates of roads, as 540 km of roads that existed only on paper have been detected. He said the work of laying the sewerage system and wires should be completed well before constructing the roads. Mann said that to ensure a proper quality check over the construction of roads, a third party techno financial audit will be conducted.
He added the state govt has enhanced the width of 78 link roads used for mining from 10 feet to 18 feet, and Rs 266.27 crore will be spent on the construction and widening of these 389.17 km of roads.
MSID:: 120555094 413 |
Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday launched a "first-of-its-kind" initiative for the repair and upgrade of 18,944 km of link roads at a cost of Rs 3,459.95 crore. Alleging past corruption in road construction, he asserted that there will now be no compromise on quality.
Speaking at an interactive session, 'Sadak Dhaancha Vikas Milni', at Tagore Theatre, Mann said such a function was organised for the first time to ensure quality construction of roads. "The motive of the campaign is to facilitate the people as these link roads act as a catalyst in commuting and smooth transportation of goods and services to people," he said.
He said the total link road network in the state extends to 64,878 km, and high-quality repair will be undertaken wherever required. "The link roads are the arteries of economic growth in the state. Construction work will be taken up on priority as most of these stretches have remained unattended even after passing their life of six years. The company constructing the road will be responsible for the maintenance of these roads for five years," he said.
Taking a jibe at the rampant corruption prevalent earlier in the construction of roads, Mann said: "Earlier, there was a share of those in higher and lower echelons of power in the tenders for the construction of roads. In such a situation, the contractors had to compromise on the quality of roads. But now, corrupt practices have come to an end, so the contractors must focus on the quality of roads to be constructed," he said.
Mann announced that a coordination committee will be constituted among the Mandi Board, PWD, and contractors to resolve all the issues in the construction of roads. He added that if any officer indulges in corrupt activity, then strict action will be taken against them. The panchayats will be asked to ensure the proper width of the roads to facilitate the construction of these roads, he said.
The CM said for the first time in the history of the state, his govt has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) in the working of the state govt. He added that due to its usage, the govt has saved Rs 226.89 crore merely in estimates of roads, as 540 km of roads that existed only on paper have been detected. He said the work of laying the sewerage system and wires should be completed well before constructing the roads. Mann said that to ensure a proper quality check over the construction of roads, a third party techno financial audit will be conducted.
He added the state govt has enhanced the width of 78 link roads used for mining from 10 feet to 18 feet, and Rs 266.27 crore will be spent on the construction and widening of these 389.17 km of roads.
MSID:: 120555094 413 |