Punjab to increase national highways' width

The minimum width of National Highways passing through Punjab has been increased from the national norm of seven metres to 10 metres, keeping in view the increased vehicular traffic in the state.

The Union Surface Transport Ministry has agreed to the proposal of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who recently met Union Minister Kamal Nath.

Reviewing the progress of ongoing road projects in the state, the Deputy Chief Minister informed the government has set apart Rs 171 crore to execute expansion of all National Highways and it would be completed by June 2011. Badal said a similar exercise was being taken for the state highways based on the report of traffic police regarding density of traffic.

In a meeting with the state government functionaries, it was informed that four laning of Amritsar-Tarntaran, Kotkapura -Faridkot, Goniana-Bathinda, MakhuZira-Talwandi Chowk and strengthening and widening of Dabwali-Malout-Abohar-Fazilka Road would be completed within six months at the cost of Rs 170 crore.

Under CRF Plan Bathinda-Ghuda, Ghuda-Lambi, Rampura-Maur-Talwandi Sabo, Phagwara-Hoshiarpur, Amritsar-Mehta Road, Amritsar-Ajnala-Dera Baba Nanak, Garhshankar-Anandpur Sahib roads would be strengthened and widened at the cost of Rs 185 crores. Under Nabard programme Rs 495 crore would be spent on strengthening rural roads and bridges.