Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced to invest ₹3,500 crore to repair 19,000 kilometers of rural link roads across the state. While speaking at an event at Guru Nanak Dev University, he said the move aims to boost rural connectivity, though he did not specify when the work will begin.
The Chief Minister also accused the central government of holding back ₹6,000 crore of Punjab’s share from the Rural Development Fund (RDF). This fund, generated through a cess on farm produce, is meant to be used for repairing rural infrastructure. Mann said this amount could have easily covered the cost of rebuilding every rural road in the state.
Toll Plaza Closures, Irrigation Progress, and Road Safety
Highlighting his government’s achievements, Mann said 17 toll plazas have been shut down, saving Punjabis about ₹64 lakh each day. He also noted a major improvement in irrigation, claiming that the use of canal water for farming has increased from 21% in 2022 to 75% now.
Mann further stated that road accident deaths in the state have dropped by 48% since the formation of the Sadak Surakhya Force, a special road safety unit that includes 1,597 trained officers and 144 modern vehicles.
On the Fight Against Drugs and Majithia’s Arrest
The Chief Minister took a veiled swipe at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was recently arrested in a disproportionate assets case. Mann referred to those who had supported the drug trade as “jarnails” (commanders), saying they had been jailed and would not be spared. Majithia, often referred to as “Majhe da jarnail” by Akali supporters, is also accused of laundering ₹540 crore in drug money.
Mann said the state’s anti-drug drive, “Yudh Nashian de Virudh” (War Against Drugs), has successfully disrupted drug networks. He added that for the first time, illegal properties of drug smugglers are being confiscated or demolished.
Development Projects in Amritsar
Later, Mann inaugurated a public library at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama in Amritsar’s Company Bagh. He said his government has already spent ₹350 crore on development works in the city — including ₹56.36 crore for new roads, ₹287.01 crore for road upgrades, and ₹3.20 crore for building six libraries.
Be the first to comment