The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, December 31
Punjab Public Works and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Monday said that the Public Works Department (PWD) has successfully executed numerous projects in the year 2024 due to 46 percent increase in the budgetary provisions, from ₹1425.76 Crore in the previous year to ₹2072 Crore for the fiscal year 2024-25.
The PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that this significant boost in funding has enabled the department to plan to spend ₹560 Crore on 740 kilometers of Plan Roads during the year 2024-25. He said the department has already completed 643 kilometers of Plan Roads, which provide crucial inter-state and inter-district connectivity, at a cost of ₹367.53 Crore, and work on others is in progress.
The Minister said that these roads were selected through a transparent process involving extensive surveys on all Plan roads of the state. He said that the major completed roads include the Ludhiana-Malerkotla-Sangrur (State Highway-11), Ludhiana Southern Bypass, Sardulgarh-Mansa Road to Talwandi Sabo via Jatana Kalan-Kusla, and Patiala-Gulha Cheeka Road.
“Additionally, several road works such as Bhawanigarh-Nabha-Gobindgarh, Rupnagar-Sri Chamkaur Sahib-Neelon-Doraha, and Bathinda-Talwandi-Rori-Sardulgarh are nearing completion”, he added.
Highlighting the commencement of the 4-laning of the Patiala-Sirhind road, following all statutory clearances, PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that this project was announced by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann during the Vyapar Milni at Patiala. He said that the project would expected significantly improve the traffic flow and connectivity in the region.
Revealing the efforts taken to ensure the unhindered flow of traffic, the PWD minister said that the department has been constructing 33 Road Over Bridges (RoBs), Road Under Bridges (RuBs), and major bridges on Plan Roads at a cost of ₹532.50 Crore. “Looking ahead, the department proposes to spend ₹1967 Crore on 2056 kilometers of Plan Roads in the next financial year 2025-26”, he added.
Highlighting the department s contribution in enhancing the healthcare infrastructure of the state, Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the PWD has completed the construction of 400 Aam Aadmi Clinics at a cost of ₹80 Crore, which are now operational and serving the public. He said that tenders were being invited for the construction of medical colleges in Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala. “Furthermore, 18 Critical-care Blocks and 18 Integrated Public Health Laboratories are being constructed in Civil Hospitals at a cost of ₹370 Crore”, said ETO.
Stating strengthening of educational infrastructure as a priority for the PWD, the PWD Minister said that the department has been upgrading infrastructure of 19 Schools of Eminence, out of these 10 schools have been completed, and work was in progress for the remaining schools. He said that this initiative of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has been aimed to provide high-quality education facilities to students across the state.
Public Works Minister also informed that, for ensuring hindrance free travel on State roads, toll collection has been stopped on 18 Toll plazas, due to which travelers have been benefitted to the tune of Rs.225 crore during the year.
PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO reiterated the commitment of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government to continue its efforts in improving infrastructure and public services in the next years also. He emphasized that the achievements of the PWD in 2024 are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the department’s officials and staff. The Minister assured the people of the state that the PWD will persist in its mission to build a better and more prosperous Punjab.
