NHAI Threatens to Cancel Highway Projects in Punjab Due to Deteriorating Law and Order
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a stern warning to the Punjab government, threatening to cancel eight major highway projects worth approximately Rs 14,288 crore if the prevailing law and order situation in the state does not improve. This alarming development was communicated by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday.
The decision stems from a series of violent incidents and intimidation tactics targeting engineers, contractors, and project staff involved in the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. These include attacks on engineers and contractors in Jalandhar and threats made by miscreants in Ludhiana.
Gadkari emphasized the critical nature of these projects, highlighting that they are greenfield corridors and canceling even one package could render the entire stretch ineffective. He expressed serious concerns about the safety of NHAI officials, contractors, and their teams, citing photographic evidence of recent assaults.
Despite assurances from stakeholders during a review meeting on July 15 that issues related to land acquisition and law enforcement would be prioritized, Gadkari expressed disappointment that no progress has been made and the situation has further worsened. He revealed that unresolved land acquisition matters and deteriorating law and order have prompted several concessionaires to seek termination of their contracts and raise claims against the NHAI.
This is not the first instance of project cancellations due to land acquisition challenges. NHAI has already terminated three projects worth Rs 3,263 crore for this reason. The current situation casts a shadow over the 29 highway projects worth Rs 4,000 crores for which Gadkari laid foundation stones in Punjab earlier this year.
The NHAI's ultimatum underscores the importance of a stable and secure environment for infrastructure development. The Punjab government must take immediate and decisive action to address the law and order concerns and ensure the safety of project personnel if it wishes to avoid the cancellation of these crucial infrastructure projects.