Punjab To Spend Rs.365 Crore On Up-Gradations Of Plan Roads

Chandigarh, October 20, 2015: State will spend Rs.365 crore on upgradation of roads infrastructure in the State including State Highways and all District roads. The comprehensive project proposal of upgradation of 93 key State and District roads was approved by the Executive Committee meeting of PIDB chaired by Chief Secretary Punjab, Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal today. Under this project, 716 KMs of the 93 State roads will be upgraded with cost of Rs. 365 crore. The Executive Committee also approved the funding of Rs. 75.12 crore for setting up of Government Colleges in Bhadurpur, Barnala, Phillaur, Nakodar and Moonak and the project shall be executed by PWD. Chief Secretary asked the Public Works Department to adhere to the timelines mentioned in the proposal.

Funding of Rs. 257.40 crore was also approved for Punjab Rural Water and Sanitation Sector improvement project. Under this project, the service delivery will be improved, access to water through household connections will be improved and ground water in 121 villages in Moga and Bathinda will be shifted. Chief Secretary also reviewed in detailed the other projects being  funded by PIDB like Hostels at Meritorious schools, State Data Center, Sewa Kendras, State roads  etc. CS directed all the concerned departments to provide the utilization certificates to PIDB so that the next instalment can be released.

The other key infrastructural projects recommended by PIDB included funding of Rs. 100 crore for scheme of enhancing Irrigation Water efficiency through community underground pipeline systems in the State, funding of Rs. 50 crore for lining of water courses of Kotla branch, funding of development of roads near Golden Temple Amritsar etc. The progress of all the projects funding by PIDB in the past was also reviewed in detail. CS asked all the departments to expedite the project implementation. The meeting was attended by Mr. D P Reddy, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr. Viswajit Khanna, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Mr. A Venu Prasad, MD PIDB, Mr. K S Pannu, Secretary Irrigation apart from other officials of concerned departments.