Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has given a new boost to Punjab's roads, railways, and airports by flagging off projects worth Rs 4,000 crore. This is not just about making travel easier, but it is a big step towards connecting Punjab's future with new possibilities.
Roads: New path to prosperity
Today, when you pass through the rural areas of Punjab, you will clearly see the work going on under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) 3,337 Km of roads and 32 bridges have been sanctioned under PMGSY-all, of which 16,58 km of roads will be upgraded in 2024-25 for Rs 833 crore. In October 2023 alone, 40.28km of roads were completed, on which Rs 13.70 crore was spent. These are not just roads, but they are lifelines that connect farmers to mandis, children to schools, and villages to the world.
In the industrial sector, the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme ( NICDP) is making Punjab a manufacturing hub. The Amritsar- Kolkata Industrial Corridor and the Chandigarh- Amritsar corridor are creating new investment and job opportunities. At the same time, modern highway being built under the Bharatmala Pariyojana such as the Delhi- Amritsar- Katra Expressway ( which will reduce travel time from 8 hours to 4 hours) are decongesting cities and boosting tourism. In the first phase, Rs 8,000-10,000 crore has been spent and 600-700km have been operationalised, but the delay till 2026 is testing patience. This expressway is being built for Rs 40,000 crore.
Railways: High-Speed dreams are gaining steam
Imagine reaching Amritsar from Delhi in just 2.5 hours. The proposed Delhi- Amritsar bullet train, which will run at a speed of 300-350 km/h, is not just a dream but a glimpse of Punjab's high speed future. Traders travelling for business and tourists coming to explore the heritage of Punjab will all benefit from this change in the railways, where not the distance but the time will be reduced.
Airport: New heights for the land of five rivers
The skies of Punjab are also witnessing a change. Airports like Adampur, Bathinda, and Pathankot have been activated under the UDAN scheme, connecting small cities to Delhi and other places. Amritsar and Mohali airports are being developed to international standards, while the greenfield airport being built at Halwara near Ludhiana will work to reduce congestion and boost economic development.
These runways are launchpads that boost tourism, trade, and investment, bringing Punjab to the center of the country. This infrastructure development drive, which is being carried forward with the support of Rs 1,500-2,000 crore every year under Bharatmala and Central Road Infrastructure Fund ( CRIF), is ushering in a new era