Sukhbir lays foundation stone of Rs.240 crore 4 laning expressway

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, AUG 7

The Punjab government has launched a unique program of Rs.13000 crore to connect all the major cities and towns of the state with 4/6 lane expressways to create best road connectivity in the country. This was disclosed here today by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal after laying the foundation stone of Rs.240 crore project of 4 laning of 55 Kms length  Roopnagar-Chamkaur Sahib-Neelon-Doraha road along Sirhind Canal.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the state has 1739 Kms of National Highway of which 405 Kms have already been upgraded to 4 lane and the construction of 4/6 laning of more than 650 Kms of highways was on full swing. He said that the state government has targeted to 4/6 lane the each Km of remaining highways to develop world class road infrastructure in the state. He said that Punjab being a landlocked state, the SAD-BJP government has decided to develop best possible air and road connectivity as on rail link front, Punjab was always being ignored by Congress led UPA government. Mr. Badal revealed that after considering the fact that water channels were the shortest route, the state government has chalked out an ambitious plan to construct quality roads along with the banks of major rivers and canals flowing through the state to provide shortest route to the people of the state. He said that these projects would have dual benefit as besides developing shortest routes, we would also be able to strengthen the embankments of these water channels thereby containing any flood like situation. He said that this project would result in a better and shortest route to not only Ludhiana but also to whole Malwa region and Kandla port. He said that this project would be completed with in a stipulated time frame of 18 months.

Later on addressing an impressive gathering, Mr. Badal announced the 4 laning of Ropar to Jalandhar road, a vital link between Malwa and Doaba regions. He said that with the setting up of IIT, construction of World Class Bypass and a new high level bridge on river Sutlej, Rs. 58 crore water supply & sewerage programme to provide potable drinking water and sewerage connection to each household, construction of a Rs.9 crore bridge on Sirhind Canal, approval of 1000 MW gas waste thermal plant in village Malkpur, 200 acre North India Army Recruitment Centre, Navy and NCC academies, 290 acre IT Park at Birla Farm besides setting up of Rs. 55 crore National Institute of Electronics and Technology, the Roopnagar district was all set to become an Education Hub. He said that the state government was also exploring the possibilities to develop Roopnagar as a centre of tourism.

The Deputy Chief Minister pointed out that the repeat mandate to SAD-BJP government was a message to the Country and an eye opener for political parties as they have voted for development. He assured to make Punjab No.1 state of the Country on the front of infrastructure development. He said that the dream of SAD-BJP government to make Punjab power surplus was about to realize as 3 thermal plants were all set to start production of power from the very next year. While revealing his vision for the future, the Deputy Chief Minister said that an Rs.10000 crore project has been chalked out to provide safe drinking water along with sewerage facility to each house hold in all cities and towns of the state.

Strongly condemning the armed attack on Sikh pilgrims in Oak Gurdwara Mr. Badal  that he and the Chief Minister has already requested Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Mr. S M Krishna to take all possible diplomatic, political and other measures to impress upon US Government to ensure safety and security of Sikhs living there. Mr. Badal said that every Sikh was deeply concerned about the safety and security of the Sikh community, who have contributed with their hard work for development of US and other western countries. He said that the Chief Minister has requested Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to request US Government to probe this tragedy deeply so that real motive of attack on peaceful Sikh community could be exposed and guilty could be punished with exemplary punishment. He said that he has already sought an appointment from US Ambassador to convey the concern of Punjab Government as well as of Shiromani Akali Dal on the well planned attack on Sikh community that too in a holy place of Gurdwara.

Earlier, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, MLA, Roopnagar welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister and demanded to get the construction of new bus stand near bypass started at the earliest besides quality construction of 4 approach roads of city to the new bypass. He also thanked the Deputy Chief Minister for laying the foundation stone of Rs.240 crore 4 laning project of Ropar to Doraha road, which would provide a better link between Ludhiana and Roopnagar.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Advisor to Chief Minister, Mrs. Satwant Kaur Sandhu, Ex-Minister, Mr. Ujjagar Singh Badali, Ex-MLA, Mr. P.S. Aujla, Secretary, PWD (B&R), Mr. P.K. Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. Jatinder Singh Aulakh, SSP besides senior leaders of SAD-BJP.