Shahkot (Jalandhar), June 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Delivering a permanent solution to the decades-old flood menace in Punjab’s Satluj belt while simultaneously transforming road connectivity in the region, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday laid the foundation stone of the 37.93-kilometre-long Dhussi Bund Link Road project in Shahkot constituency at a cost of ₹61.82 crore.
The ambitious project, connecting Shahkot-Moga-Rampur Road with Gidderpindi Dhussi Bund, has been uniquely designed to serve both as a vital road corridor and a strengthened flood protection barrier, benefiting thousands of families across 15 villages.
Besides safeguarding residents from recurring floods that successive governments failed to address, the project will ease traffic congestion on key road networks, boost economic activity, and further strengthen the state’s rapidly expanding infrastructure under the Punjab Government’s ongoing drive to build world-class roads across the state.
Rajya Sabha MP Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and others were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “This important road, to be constructed along the Sutlej River, will have a total length of 37.93 kilometres. Our Government has sanctioned ₹61.82 crore for this major infrastructure project.
People residing in Shahkot and Lohian regions have lived under the constant threat of floods for decades. Previous governments made tall promises during elections but neglected the basic infrastructure needs of this rural belt.”
The Chief Minister stated, “We believe in delivering results and not merely in making false promises. I have personally witnessed the hardships faced by the people of this area when villages were disconnected during the rainy season.
The construction of this road on the Dhussi Bund will further strengthen the embankment along the Sutlej River and serve as a strong shield against flood-related risks for the local population.”
He further added, “The road will provide significant daily commuting convenience to approximately 15,000-16,000 residents living in nearly 15 villages of the area.
It will connect the Shahkot–Moga Road with the Lohian–Makhu Road and function as an effective bypass, substantially reducing traffic congestion on the existing route. During the monsoon season, this road will prove to be a boon for farmers, school buses and the general public by ensuring smooth and uninterrupted transportation.”
“Our Government is committed to providing strong rural infrastructure across Punjab and ensuring a high-quality road and transportation network. This project is not merely the construction of a road; it is an investment in safety, connectivity, economic growth and a better quality of life for the people of the Shahkot-Lohian region,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Listing the other pro-people and development-oriented initiatives of his government, the Chief Minister stated, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for me that the AAP Government has provided more than 67,000 government jobs to the youth. The era of cash payments and favouritism has ended in Punjab and now youth are getting jobs solely on the basis of their merit and eligibility.”
“Government jobs can be obtained by eligible candidates purely on merit due to which not even a single appointment has been challenged in court,” he added.
Highlighting the achievements in healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state has significantly strengthened primary healthcare delivery through its landmark initiative of around 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics, strategically established across both urban and rural areas.
These clinics are built on the pillars of standardization, offering 107 essential medicines and 47 diagnostic tests entirely free of cost, supported by IT-enabled real-time reporting.
The response from the people has been transformative as over 5.54 crore OPD visits have been recorded till date, with approximately 84,000 patients served every single day and more than 90% receiving all prescribed medicines free of cost at the clinic itself.”
“The impact of this public health initiative has been unprecedented and patient feedback with 97% patients expressing satisfaction with the services received reflects the trust people have reposed in this initiative. With 400 additional Aam Aadmi Clinics in the pipeline, Punjab remains firmly committed to ensuring that no citizen is beyond the reach of accessible, dignified and quality primary healthcare,” he added.
Referring to irrigation reforms, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab has used 96% canal water this year through an improved irrigation system, which has immensely benefited the farmers, whereas earlier this water was wasted. Our Government has laid 14,000 kilometres of pipes and watercourses across the state to facilitate farmers in every nook and corner of Punjab.”
He added, “As many as 21,000 cusecs of water have been released in these pipelines and watercourses to benefit farmers by catering to their irrigation needs. This water released by the state government is equal to the water supplied by two Bhakra canals and farmers across Punjab will be immensely benefited by this move.”
“Recharge points have been kept in canals and rivers so that the groundwater level is enhanced and due to these efforts water levels have increased by two to four metres in several areas. Taxpayers’ money is being judiciously spent on the welfare of people and is coming back to them through development, schools, hospitals and roads,” noted the Chief Minister.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “The Punjab Government is now working for people and has closed toll plazas, thereby saving ₹70 lakh of the people daily. The state government is optimally utilising every single penny of the state exchequer for the well-being of the people of Punjab.”
“More than 90% households in Punjab are getting free power and even farmers are today getting power in the daytime, which has been unprecedented. At a time when the assets of the country are being given by the Union Government to their blue-eyed friends at throwaway prices, the Punjab Government has created history by buying a private thermal plant and naming it after Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji,” he added.
Speaking about women empowerment initiatives, the Chief Minister said, “Our Government has started enrolment for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna. Women above 18 years of age from all other categories will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from the Scheduled Caste category will receive ₹1,500 per month as financial assistance.”
“For ordinary people, especially the poor, ₹1,000-₹1,500 is a significant amount. This amount is a mark of respect for mothers and daughters and the smile on women’s faces due to this scheme gives me great satisfaction,” he pointed out.
Referring to the state’s universal healthcare initiative, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In order to provide comprehensive healthcare to people, the Punjab Government has launched Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab.”
“It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which has significantly eased the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services.
This historic move is aimed at providing universal healthcare to all the families of the state and people have availed free treatment worth more than ₹650 crore so far,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said, “I am grateful to the Almighty for bestowing upon me the opportunity to enact the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026. In the past, whenever incidents of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place, the psyche of crores of people was deeply hurt. The Almighty has blessed me with the wisdom and strength to bring this Bill after detailed consultation with legal experts.
The Punjab Government has drafted this Bill carefully so that it acts as a deterrent for anti-social elements to indulge in any such sin in future and no one will ever be able to indulge in this heinous crime,” he added.
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