New Delhi, August 10: In a stern warning to the Punjab government, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has indicated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may be forced to cancel or terminate eight more critical highway projects in Punjab if the prevailing law and order situation does not improve. These projects, totaling 293 kilometers in length and valued at Rs 14,288 crore, are at risk due to recent violent incidents affecting ongoing works.
In a letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Gadkari detailed two alarming incidents on the Delhi-Katra Expressway project, which underscore the escalating security issues. In the Jalandhar district, an engineer employed by the project’s contractor was brutally assaulted. Despite an FIR being registered, Gadkari emphasized the need for decisive action against the assailants to address the grave situation.
Additionally, in the Ludhiana district, the contractor’s project camp was attacked by miscreants. The engineers were threatened with the burning of the project camp and harm to their staff. Alarmingly, an FIR has yet to be filed in this incident, and the perpetrators remain at large despite NHAI’s written requests for intervention.
Gadkari’s letter warns that if these issues persist, NHAI will have no choice but to terminate the eight severely affected projects. The cancellation of these greenfield corridors, including one that is crucial to the overall Delhi-Katra Expressway, could render the entire corridor non-functional.
The minister also noted that ongoing problems related to land acquisition and the deteriorating law and order conditions have led to contractors requesting the foreclosure of contracts and raising claims against NHAI. He highlighted that NHAI has already been compelled to terminate three projects, with a total value of Rs 3,263 crore, due to challenges in land availability.
During a review meeting of national highway projects held on July 15, which Gadkari chaired, assurances were made regarding the resolution of land acquisition and law and order issues. However, Gadkari expressed disappointment that no progress has been observed and that the situation has worsened.
In his communication, Gadkari has urged the Punjab government to take immediate corrective actions, including filing FIRs and taking stringent measures against those responsible for these violent acts. He stressed the need to restore confidence among NHAI officials and the staff of the concessionaires to prevent further disruptions.
The letter also included photographs documenting the assault to underscore the severity of the situation. NHAI is currently engaged in developing several national highway corridors, including the Delhi-Katra Expressway, which are critical to improving infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
