Chandigarh, July 16, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Appeasement for the sake of votes at the cost of Punjab’s development is at an all-time high during the two-year and four-month rule of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led AAP govt in Punjab, said Senior BJP leader and former union minister Vijay Sampla.
The evidence is “Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government’s lackadaisical behaviour which has led to the termination of several crucial national highway projects in Punjab, being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)”, substantiated Sampla.
Sampla expressed his disappointment, stating, “The state is already struggling to attract new investments due to Punjab’s deteriorating law and order situation, and uncontrolled menace of drugs.
Due to Bhagwant Mann’s tacit support to the politically motivated protests by farmer organizations, the huge national highway infrastructure projects approved by the union government got terminated now, and the people of Punjab will have to bear its cost.”
“The termination of projects is a major blow to the state’s economy and infrastructure development plans. Once executed, the projects would boost the economy of Punjab, with a considerable hike in revenue collection for the Punjab government, job opportunities for the locals, and a big push to the local markets.
In addition to this, the highway projects would provide Punjab with world-class infrastructure and reduce resident’s travel time and fuel consumption”, Sampla said.
Sampla apprised that in Punjab, the NHAI is constructing 1,500 km of highways for Rs 52,000 crore, as part of which a huge quantum of land acquisition was in process in different districts.
“Seven highway projects totalling 256 kilometres and valued at Rs 8,245 crore could not be initiated because the NHAI had not received a minimum possession of 80 percent of the acquired land.
Delay in the possession of acquired land, and declaration of compensation, coupled with tardy disbursement, has forced contractors to cancel three national highway projects in Punjab valued at Rs 3,303 crore.
Besides this, NHAI is also in the process of terminating another four projects worth Rs 4,942 crore.”
Sampla further said that Mann should be held accountable for it and he should ensure immediate corrective action. “BJP urges the state government to prioritize these projects and work collaboratively with the NHAI to ensure their successful completion”, Sampla said.
