Punjab Chief Minister Attributes Highway Delays to NHAI, Contractors

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has attributed delays in highway projects to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its contractors. This comes after Union Minister Nitin Gadkari threatened to terminate road projects in the state due to law and order issues.

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In a letter to Gadkari, Mann emphasised the state's commitment to timely project execution. He noted that most road projects in Punjab are progressing well, with only a few exceptions. Mann also highlighted that the state government is actively supporting NHAI in land acquisition and related matters.

NHAI Projects and Law and Order Concerns

Gadkari had previously warned that eight highway projects in Punjab, spanning 293 km and costing Rs 14,288 crore, might be cancelled if the law and order situation did not improve. He cited incidents where contractors were attacked and threatened, including an assault on an engineer in Jalandhar district.

Mann responded by stating that the Punjab police acted swiftly in these incidents. He pointed out that both cases were due to issues caused by the contractors themselves. One incident involved over-excavation of land, while the other was related to non-payment of dues by a contractor.

Challenges in Land Acquisition

Mann explained that farmers in Punjab are deeply attached to their land, which is their primary source of livelihood. High land prices make them reluctant to part with their property unless they receive adequate compensation. He mentioned instances where farmers were willing to hand over their land at awarded rates, but NHAI's delays in accepting these awards slowed down the acquisition process.

The chief minister also noted that there were cases where land was handed over to NHAI, but contractors took too long to start work. During this period, farmers resumed cultivating the land. Mann stressed that once possession is given to NHAI, it is their responsibility or that of their contractors to maintain it.

State Government's Proactive Measures

Mann assured that the state chief secretary is holding regular review meetings with deputy commissioners and NHAI officials to address bottlenecks. He also plans to engage directly with farmers on this issue. Additionally, police have been directed to deploy patrolling teams in affected areas to maintain law and order.

Referring to the Ludhiana and Jalandhar incidents, Mann stated that FIRs were promptly registered and arrests made. He reiterated that both incidents stemmed from contractor-related issues and not from any failure on the part of the state government.

Mann concluded by stating that despite these challenges, Punjab Police remains committed to ensuring the safety of NHAI projects. He enclosed a detailed report from the special DGP on these matters.