Badal launches Rs 3000 crore road project in Punjab

Malerkotla, Jul 31 (UNI) Road infrastructure in Punjab is all set for a transformation through new expressways, state highways and modernisation of existing key linkages along the global standards.

This ambitious initiative, with an outlay of Rs 3000 crore, was kick started with the laying of the foundation stone of the Ludhiana-Malerkotla-Sangrur four-lane expressway by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today.

This segment alone, stretching about 72 km, would cost Rs 226 crore, according to Media Advisor to Chief Minister H S Bains.

Addressing a well-attended function on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP Government had planned a network of Greenfield Expressways, in addition to the upgradation of the existing infrastructure.

''The scale of fiscal layout for this initiative is unprecedented in the history of the state and would well cross the Rs 3000-crore mark presently envisaged,'' Mr Badal said after the foundation laying ceremony.

With the upgradation of this critical surface transport artery, the travel time between the three major towns of Ludhiana, Sangrur and Malerkotla would be reduced by a substantial 45 minutes.

Senior Akali leader and Member of Parliament Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and PWD Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa were present on the occasion.

UNI HS SBC KP2011