NHAI Threatens to Cancel Highway Projects in Punjab Due to Deteriorating Law and Order Situation
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 comes in the wake of increasing incidents of violence and intimidation targeting engineers and contractors involved in the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. Recent reports have documented attacks on project personnel in Jalandhar and threats issued by miscreants in Ludhiana, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty.
In a strongly worded letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed deep concern over the safety of NHAI officials, contractors, and their teams. He emphasized the critical nature of these projects, highlighting that they are greenfield corridors and cancelling even one package could render the entire stretch ineffective.
Gadkari also pointed to the ongoing challenges related to land acquisition, which have further hampered the progress of these projects. He included photographic evidence of recent assaults to underscore the urgency of the situation.
Despite assurances from stakeholders during a review meeting held on July 15th, Gadkari expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in addressing the issues. He revealed that due to unresolved land acquisition matters and deteriorating law and order, several concessionaires have sought to terminate their contracts and have raised claims against the NHAI.
It is important to note that NHAI has already terminated three projects worth Rs 3,263 crore due to land availability challenges. This latest development casts a shadow over the future of highway development in Punjab, potentially jeopardizing investments worth thousands of crores and impacting the state's connectivity and economic growth.