Chandigarh/Jalandhar, November 28, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant development for border residents in Ajnala area, NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal announced today that Senior Army Officials have assured the widening of Ajnala Road from its current width of 5.5 meters to 7 meters.
Speaking at the 11 Corps Headquarters in Jalandhar Cantt, the Minister highlighted that this long-pending demand of the border communities will now be fulfilled, addressing a major traffic issue in the area.
The 72-kilometer stretch of road, which falls under Army jurisdiction, has been a bottleneck, especially during cane harvesting season, with trolleys loaded with crops causing frequent traffic jams.
The Minister shared that he had raised the matter with the Ministry of Defence, resulting in a meeting with Lieutenant General Ajay Chandpuria and his team today. The officials conducted an on-the-spot review and assured the road widening, expected to be initiated in 2025.
The Minister also urged the Army officisls to consider extending the road width to 10 meters at specific stretches (cane belts) to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. “This project will not only improve connectivity but also bring much-needed relief to farmers, residents, and even troops in this border belt,” Mr. Dhaliwal stated.
This approval marks a milestone in resolving a critical infrastructure challenge for Punjab’s border communities, showcasing the Punjab Government’s commitment to their welfare. He also highlighted that the senior army officials have expressed possibilities of construction of Ajnala Byepass which will also strengthen connectivity here.
The Minister also thanked Army officials for considering this issue positively and giving affirmative response. Notably, this 72-Km lond road covers several towns including Ajnala, Lopoke, Sohal, Talwandi Raidadu, Punga, Bhindi Saida, besides others. This would also ease traffic movement for farmers during procurement seasons.
