Latest news with #PMGSY-III
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Punjab's Rs 12,700 crore NH projects stalled; Rs 828 crore PMGSY road works scrapped over delays
CHANDIGARH: Multiple key road infrastructure projects in Punjab including major national highway developments and those under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY), are facing serious setbacks, with no clear timeline for completion. As many as sixteen national highway projects worth ₹12,700 crore, being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Punjab Public Works Department (PWD), have either been stalled, significantly delayed, or face termination. The primary reasons cited are land acquisition hurdles and delays in obtaining statutory clearances. Simultaneously, rural road development has also taken a hit. Projects under PMGSY-III worth ₹828.87 crore, involving the upgradation of 64 roads and construction of 38 bridges, have been scrapped due to the state government's failure to float tenders and commence construction on time. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a written reply to Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, confirmed that eight projects are being executed by NHAI and another eight by the state PWD, all of which have encountered delays or stoppages. 'Projects in the state of Punjab are mainly delayed, stalled, or terminated due to land acquisition issues and delay in obtaining statutory clearances. The government is taking requisite measures, in consultation with stakeholders including the state government, to resolve these issues,' the Minister stated in Parliament. Key Affected Projects Under NHAI Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway (Spur-II): 30.5 km stretch worth ₹2,197.17 crore terminated due to lack of land; fresh bids to be invited once land is acquired. Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway (Spur-III): 28.07 km stretch worth ₹1,951.70 crore delayed, now scheduled for completion by 30 November 2026. Amritsar–Bathinda (Package-I): 39 km project worth ₹1,229.38 crore, originally set to finish by November 2024, now delayed until 31 December 2026. Amritsar–Ghoman–Tanda–Una (Package-I): 45.73 km stretch worth ₹1,443.47 crore also delayed, with a new completion target of 30 June 2026. Package-II of this corridor (31.05 km, ₹818.41 crore) has been terminated due to land issues. The Ludhiana–Rupnagar corridor has also been severely affected:
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann writes to Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan: ‘Don't drop road, bridge projects'
1 2 Chandigarh: With uncertainty hanging over centrally-sponsored road projects in the state, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has sought the intervention of Union minister of rural development Shivraj Singh Chouhan to ensure the continuation of key road and bridge projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) in the state. The appeal comes in light of a recent directive from the Union ministry of rural development that works which have not been tendered and works which have not started on the ground will be dropped. The CM's Aug 12 letter focused on 64 roads (628.48km) and 35 bridges, which are planned for construction using a new, environment-friendly technology called Full Depth Reclamation (FDR). He emphasised that dropping these projects would not only "hamper overall connectivity" but also "defeat the essence of the PMGSY-III project", which is designed to connect, upgrade, and strengthen rural road infrastructure. "In case the construction of these long-span bridges (LSBs) is not taken up now, it will not only defeat the purpose of upgradation of the said roads under PMGSY-III but the expenditure incurred on the roads will also be wasteful because the locations will be more prone to accidents," Mann said. "The bridges fall on roads approved under PMGSY-III…I shall be grateful for your kind intervention to consider these bridges as part of the ongoing works of PMGSY-III and allow the execution of these works," added the letter. Before this, Punjab secretary of public works department Ravi Bhagat wrote to the Centre on July 21, pointing out that of the total 339 sanctioned road works under PMGSY-III, 202 road works stood completed, 68 road works were in progress and would be completed by March 31, 2026. "There are 59 works to be executed using FDR technology. The tenders for these works are in progress and these works are likely to commence in Aug/Sept 2025. " The letter added, "In addition to the FDR project, another project comprising four roads and 35 bridges was sanctioned by the Centre on March 31, 2025, for which the tendering process is in progress. Reconstruction of these bridges on roads is of utmost necessity as otherwise these locations will become accident-prone/black spots." "Under these circumstances, wherein 59 road works with FDR technology, four road works, and 35 bridges are on the verge of commencement, dropping these works at this stage would cause hue and cry among the general public of the state as the condition of the roads is very poor. In addition to these, some of the roads fall in the border areas of Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran and would cause discontentment among the MPs, who have put in great efforts for the inclusion of these projects for their respective constituencies," said Bhagat. On July 11, the Union ministry of rural development said that while the timeline for the completion of PMGSY-III had been extended up to March 31, 2026, works which have not been tendered and works which have not started on the ground will be dropped. The state govt has requested that the bridges be considered as ongoing work and that all these pending projects, especially in the border districts, be allowed to be executed under the PMGSY-III scheme to ensure complete and functional rural connectivity. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre approves ₹4,224 Crore PMGSY package for rural road projects in J&K, ET Infra
Advt The Centre has sanctioned a ₹4224.23 crore package for 316 road projects in Jammu and Kashmir under PMGSY-IV , which is the biggest ever package for the union territory so far since the national flagship rural road development programme was the PMGSY-IV programme, a rural habitation as small as 250 human beings will get road connectivity through a total length of 1781.33 majority of 316 road projects under PMGSY-IV in J&K will benefit the Jammu division, as this division is still poorly connected as compared to the Kashmir expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that the approved 1781 km road length will provide a major boost to rural road connectivity and usher in a new era of prosperity in the far-flung areas of Jammu and L-G said on X, "Grateful to PM Narendra Modi & Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan for sanctioning 316 road projects at an estimated cost of ₹4224 cr under Batch-I of PMGSY -IV for providing connectivity to 390 number of eligible habitations. J&K is first among all States/UTs which got sanction under PMGSY-IV. It is also biggest ever package sanctioned for J&K under PMGSY. The approved 1781 Kms road length will provide major boost to rural road connectivity and usher in a new era of prosperity in far-flung areas."Under PMGSY-III, most of the projects sanctioned pertained to the upgradation of roads, while ₹377.91 crore were sanctioned for 66 small and medium bridges, but in PMGSY-IV, there are no bridge projects, and the entire amount will have to be used for road length PMGSY-III, ₹1952.42 crore were used for road connectivity, including upgradation of existing roads, while under PMGSY-IV, the amount sanctioned is for fresh road laying and not for upgradation of existing J&K government will have to bear its share of ₹422.43 crore, while the Union Rural Development Ministry will bear its share of ₹3,801.80 crore out of the total ₹4,224.23 crore sanctioned under PMGSY-IV for Jammu and Kashmir.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Himachal: Vikramaditya Singh meets Rajnath Singh, urges to declare Ghatasni-Shilha-Badhani-Bhubujot- Kullu road as national highway
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 10 (ANI): The Public Works Department (PWD) Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Vikramaditya Singh, called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. He urged the declaration of the Ghatasni-Shilha-Badhani-Bhubujot-Kullu road as a National Highway, keeping in view its strategic significance. He said that there was an urgent need for an alternative connectivity to the Pathankot-Manali-Leh NH, and this road would not only serve the purpose but also shorten the distance by about 55 kilometres. 'It would also provide a stable highway besides boosting tourism and strengthening the rural economy,' he added. He urged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to sanction the project. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured to provide all possible support to the state. Earlier, on May 19, the Public Works Department (PWD) Minister of the Himachal Pradesh government said that the department was all set to start the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) stage four once it was approved by the Union government. Vikramaditya Singh detailed Himachal Pradesh's progress under the PMGSY, highlighting key milestones achieved in road infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the state.'Our government made sustained efforts to strengthen the road network across Himachal, especially in remote and backwards regions where all-weather connectivity was crucial,' Singh said. He reported that under PMGSY-III, 3,100 kilometres of roads and 43 bridges had already been sanctioned, with projects spread across Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts.'We executed PMGSY-III projects worth Rs 345 crore. Our goal was to complete these within 18 months. Already Rs 802 crore had been spent, and by the end of 2024-25, Rs 650 crore more was expected to be utilised out of the Rs 905 crore budget,' he said. Singh further shared that meetings with the Minister of State for Rural Development had yielded positive responses. (ANI)
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Himachal CM Sukhu inaugurates Rs 75.10 crore development projects in Gagret, criticizes BJP for financial distress
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 7 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 75.10 crore in the Gagret Assembly Constituency while launching a sharp critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for pushing the state into financial distress through mismanagement and excessive borrowing during its previous regime, as per an official release. Addressing a public meeting at Daulatpur Chowk in Una district, Sukhu announced initiatives like a 400-metre span bridge on the Swan River, water supply schemes, and healthcare improvements, alongside his government's commitment to economic recovery through tough decisions, as the state aims to become self-reliant amidst ongoing challenges. Sukhu stated that during its regime, the BJP kept on boasting about the 'double engine Sarkar' but could not significantly contribute to the development of the state and raised loans from the Centre, thus pushing the state into a financial crisis. He stated that to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant, the government was determined to take some harsh decisions to improve the economy with the cooperation of the people of the State. Sukhu highlighted projects like the Daulatpur-Bhadrakali road, in which Rs 15 crore had been spent; Gagret Hospital's new building; and the upcoming Hoshiarpur-Nadaun four-lane road, while assuring the filling of vacant doctor posts and addressing water scarcity through tube wells. The Himachal Pradesh CM also mentioned the Bulk Drug Park in Haroli, set to begin construction soon. He further criticised the BJP's education policies for dropping Himachal's ranking to 21st, leading to school mergers for quality education. As per the release, the other development initiatives include a Rs 42.82 crore bridge on the Amb-Ambota road, four bridges under PMGSY-III costing Rs 2.70 crore, and infrastructure projects like the Government Degree College Daulatpur Chowk building at Rs 2.79 crore and water schemes totalling Rs 16.57 crore across multiple villages. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also noted a Rs 170 crore investment in Gagret's water schemes, criticising the Centre for sanctioning only Rs 137 crore of the expected Rs 2,000 crore, and affirmed the state's advocacy for its due funds. The Chief Minister said that Una has emerged as the fastest-growing district in the state and is being developed as a 'Solar Hub' of the state, with 163 MW projects under construction and promising job creation and industrial growth. (ANI)
