NHAI Threatens to Cancel Highway Projects in Punjab Due to Deteriorating Law and Order
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a stark 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 does not improve.
This alarming development comes in the wake of escalating violence and intimidation related to the ongoing construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. Engineers and contractors have been attacked in Jalandhar, while miscreants in Ludhiana have threatened project staff and facilities.
In a 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 highlighted the critical nature of these projects, emphasizing that they are greenfield corridors and canceling even one package could render the entire stretch ineffective.
Gadkari also pointed to ongoing land acquisition challenges and included photographic evidence of recent assaults to underscore the urgency of the situation. He expressed disappointment that despite assurances from stakeholders during a review meeting on July 15, no progress has been made and the situation has further worsened.
This deteriorating situation has led several concessionaires to seek termination of their contracts and raise claims against the NHAI. Notably, NHAI has already terminated three projects worth Rs 3,263 crore due to land availability challenges.
The potential cancellation of these eight major highway projects would be a significant setback for Punjab's infrastructure development and economic growth. It is crucial for the state government to take immediate and decisive action to address the law and order concerns and ensure the safety of project personnel. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences for the state's infrastructure development plans.