Punjab Speeds Up Highway Land Acquisition

The Punjab Public Works Department (PWD) convened a critical meeting on Thursday with sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) and district revenue officers (DROs). The meeting, spearheaded by Punjab’s Public Works Minister, focused on addressing the significant delays and operational hurdles associated with land acquisition for national highway projects.

Recent developments have heightened urgency in the state’s approach. Following a review by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways on July 16, which spotlighted the lag in land transfer for road construction, the state government has been under increased scrutiny. The Union Minister’s review indicated no projects were cancelled but highlighted concerns regarding delays, prompting a swift response from the state administration. During the three-hour deliberation, key figures including Priyank Bharti, Secretary of PWD, and J.S. Tung, Chief Engineer for National Highways in Punjab’s PWD (B & R), evaluated the progress of ongoing projects. They discussed the implementation of strategies designed to overcome obstacles in the land acquisition process. The officials have initiated a series of outreach efforts, including landowner engagement camps and individual consultations, to address and resolve concerns swiftly.

The state’s strategy includes a more aggressive approach to acquiring land by directly involving local authorities and streamlining the communication process with landowners. These measures are aimed at mitigating the delays that have previously plagued the projects and ensuring that the construction schedules are adhered to more rigorously. The renewed focus on resolving these issues comes as part of Punjab’s broader commitment to enhancing its transport infrastructure.

By addressing the land acquisition bottlenecks head-on, the state government aims to accelerate project timelines and foster improved connectivity across the region. This proactive stance underscores the state’s determination to meet national highway development targets and improve overall infrastructure efficiency, reflecting a significant shift towards more agile and responsive governance in infrastructure development.