Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Bathinda, Punjab today took a giant leap towards development when Union Minister of Road, Transport and Shipping Mr. Nitin Gadkari along with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal announced to initiate 800 KM road projects worth Rs. 18000 crore which would make Punjab the first state in the country to have connectivity of all major cities with 4-6 lane roads in next two years. Besides this, in a unique step to launch water transportation at par with the European countries, he also declared to include Satluj and Beas rivers in the proposed water highways project along with 99 other rives of the country. On the request of Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Gadkari also sanctioned 5 ROBs at various places in Malwa region.
Despite the inclement weather due to heavy rain in Malwa region lakhs of people attended the foundation laying ceremony of seven projects of four laning of national highway from Bathinda to Chandigarh with the cost of Rs. 3342 crore to connect the Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, Mr. Gadkari said that 4 laning of Amritsar-Bathinda highway costing Rs. 3800 crore, Jalandhar to Moga at a cost of Rs. 1500 crore, Moga-Barnala with Rs. 500 crore, Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur upto Himachal Pradesh Border with Rs. 1000 crore, Chandigarh-Ludhiana with Rs. 2000 crore, Kurali-Kharar with Rs. 300 crore, Rupnagar-Phawara with Rs. 1000 crore, Ladowal bypass with Rs. 315 crore, Amritsar-Attari with Rs. 250 crore and Samrala–Ludhiana with Rs. 1000 crore. All these projects would be initiated by December 2015.
Putting the stamp on the Development agenda of Punjab Government under the leadership of Mr. Parkash Singh Badaal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mr. Gadkari said that “to do anything we need only political will power and I am quite impressed with the vision of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal”. He said roads bring prosperity and NDA Government has given it top priority. He said that Shiromanai Akali Dal was the oldest ally of BJP and he has approved all the projects demanded by the Punjab Government.
On the request of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal to sanction ROBs at 5 major places at Kotkapura-Faridkot, Faridkot-Mudki, Dabwali-Bajakhana-Barnala, Amritsar-TaranTaran, Mr. Gadkari has sanctioned these projects on the spot.
Taking about the potential in Punjab for the development of Water Highways for transportation like foreign countries, Mr, Gadkai said that Satluj and Beas rives of Punjab have been included in the list to be declared as water highways along with the 99 more highways across the nation. He said that these water roads would be approved in the next parliament session.
Calling it a historic day for Punjab Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that things has been changed for Punjab after the formation of NDA Government as during last 5 year UPA Government has not given single project to the Punjab. He said that “during the meeting with the Union Minister three months ago he has asked for all these projects and in this short span of time all kind of clearances has been given by the NDA Government. He also announced that on “Vaisakhi” many other projects would also be started by Mr. Gadkari.
Thanking the gathering Mr. Badal said that “you have again proved that Punjabis want development which was the core agenda of SAD-BJP Government”. He said that at one hand in heavy rain people have gathered in lakhs but on second hand congress has postponed his rally by making rain as excuse.
Mr. Badal has also announced a project of Rs. 900 crore for the total revamping of “Rajbahas” in Bathinda, Mansa and Barnala districts, which would be completed in next one year.
Earlier Mr. Gadkari and Mr. Badal has laid the foundation stone of 7 major road projects with the cost of Rs. 3342 crore comprises 4 laning of 7 major life line roads of Punjab that are also connecting the state with Haryana and Rajasthan. It mainly includes Sangrur to Dogal Kalan 29 km long road worth Rs 546.43 crore to be completed in 18 months, Dogal kalan to Punjab and Haryana border 27 km long road worth Rs 605.35 crore to be completed in 24 months. Besides these roads construction of Sangrur bypass to Dhanaula by pass 13.18 km stretch worth Rs. 319.80 crore would be completed in 18 months.
To facilitate the commuters travelling to Chandigarh from Malwa region 19.28 km long Patiala by-pass would be constructed at the cost of Rs 279.68 km in 18 months. The 4 laning of 41.44Km long Patiala- Sangrur road would be completed in 18 months with the cost of Rs 486.75 crore. In continuation of the above said project of Sangrur- Tapa project would be also be constructed in 18 months with the cost of 483.38 crore having total length of 46.04 km. Besides this 41.35 km Tapa-Bathinda road would be completed in 24 months by spending Rs 620.28 crore. These all major projects also include 15 flyovers and service roads would be constructed along with these roads.
Addressing the audience Union Minister for state Mr. Vijay Sampla said SAD-BJP has strong ties and union government would provide all help to the Punjab government. MP Rajya Sabha Balwinder Singh Bhunder, PWD Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Rural Development Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka and state BJP president Kamal Sharma also addressed the gathering.
Prominent amongst present included Dyal Singh Koreanwali, CPS Sarup Chand Singla, MLA Talwandi Sabo Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu and Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg…..
