NHAI Threatens to Terminate Punjab Highway Projects due to Law and Order Issues

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has issued a stern warning to Punjab's Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, about the potential termination of eight crucial highway projects due to worsening law and order conditions. Recent violent incidents on the Delhi-Katra Expressway have prompted this drastic measure, risking significant financial and infrastructural losses.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has warned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may terminate eight severely affected highway projects in Punjab due to deteriorating law and order conditions. This potential move could impact 293 km of project length, costing Rs 14,288 crore.

Gadkari highlighted two recent violent incidents on the Delhi-Katra Expressway projects. In one incident in Jalandhar district, a contractor's engineer was brutally assaulted. Despite an FIR being registered, strong action is still required, Gadkari noted in his letter dated August 9.

He also mentioned another incident in Ludhiana district where miscreants attacked a project camp and threatened to burn it along with its staff. No FIR has been filed for this incident despite requests, exacerbating concerns about contractor and worker safety.

The minister stressed that if the law and order situation does not improve, NHAI will have no choice but to cancel these projects. He pointed out that unresolved land acquisition issues and poor law and order have already led to the termination of three projects worth Rs 3,263 crore.

Gadkari urged immediate corrective measures and strict action against the perpetrators to prevent future incidents and restore confidence among NHAI officials and concessionaires' staff. He also attached photos of the assault to underscore the severity of the situation.

(With inputs from agencies.)