Punjab Cabinet Minister visits Intex Expo 2026; Over 250 Companies Showcase New Technologies

Sahnewal (Ludhiana), January 17, 2026: Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, today visited Intex Expo 2026 at Ludhiana Exhibition Centre, Sahnewal, where more than 250 leading companies showcased advanced construction materials, technologies and finished products. The event was jointly organised by the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) – Punjab Chapter and the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI).
The Minister, along with Director, Town and Village Planning Department, Punjab, Neeru Katyal Gupta, Pankaj Bawa Chairman Punjab chapter also inaugurated the ‘Saanjh 2.0’ programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The programme was jointly organised by ITPI Punjab and IIA Punjab to strengthen collaboration between planners and architects.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that such exhibitions significantly benefit Punjab’s industry by facilitating technology exchange and knowledge sharing. He stated that Punjab is witnessing a strong investment momentum, adding that investment in the State has doubled, and more major investments are expected in the next three months.
He highlighted that Punjab has recently been recognised by the Government of India as a Top Performer in the Startup Ecosystem, and earlier received national recognition for Ease of Doing Business, reflecting the State’s robust and investor-friendly industrial environment.
The conference saw participation from senior town planners, district town planners, architects and professionals from across Punjab. Two parallel exhibitions titled “Pachan” and “Amanat” showcased over 250 high-quality professional entries, which were widely appreciated.
Encouraging innovation and excellence, the Minister announced cash awards of ₹50,000, ₹30,000 and ₹20,000 for the best exhibition entries.
The Minister emphasised the importance of architects’ active cooperation in the successful implementation of the Self-Certification System for Building Plan Approvals. In response, Architect Pal Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman, IIA Punjab Chapter and Director, Ludhiana Smart City, assured full support from the architectural fraternity.
The IIA Punjab Chapter also requested inclusion of architects’ representatives in advisory committees related to town planning and Ishpal Committees. The Minister accepted the request and asked for a formal proposal to initiate the process.
A delegation of 30 small furniture industrialists from Madhya Pradesh, led by Anil Thagle, Nodal Officer RAMP and Chief General Manager, Small Industries Corporation of Madhya Pradesh, met the Minister. He invited them to explore industrial investment opportunities in Punjab and expressed his strong association with the industrial sector of Madhya Pradesh.
Interacting with the media, the Minister informed that a new exhibition centre is being developed at the Punjab Agro site on Jalandhar Bypass. He added that Halwara Airport is fully ready and will be operational soon after completion of remaining technical formalities, for which the State Government is actively coordinating with the Central Government.
He further stated that Punjab is working towards making cities wire-free, and after successful implementation in one sub-division, tenders have been floated for the remaining areas.
The conference and exhibitions were widely appreciated for their scale, organisation and professional impact.