Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has announced a Rs 1.4 billion urban development project to upgrade 42 kilometres of road infrastructure across Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. The initiative aims to enhance pedestrian pathways, improve drainage, and realign streetlights, bus stops, and water supply lines for better aesthetics and functionality. 

As part of the project, contractors will be responsible for maintaining the roads for the next ten years. Roads will feature dedicated lanes for different vehicles, with lane markings refreshed every three months. Mechanised cleaning and upgraded sewerage systems will ensure durability and smooth traffic flow. 

The project will be executed in three phases: a four-month design phase involving urban planners and international experts, an eight-month construction period adhering to global standards, and a ten-year maintenance plan. Amritsar will receive 17.5 km of upgrades, while Ludhiana and Jalandhar will see improvements on 12.4 km and 12.3 km, respectively. 

Cheema noted that if successful, the project could be extended to other cities. He also contrasted the initiative with previous governments' lack of long-term vision and highlighted the AAP government’s urban planning efforts in Delhi as a model for infrastructure enhancement. 

(newsonprojects)