Patiala: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has unveiled a major infrastructure offensive in the Sanaur constituency, promising to drought-proof over 40,000 acres of farmland and deliver a “facelift” to the region’s crumbling road network.The ₹114 crore package includes ₹87 crore for road renovations and ₹27 crore for canal-lining projects. Addressing a massive gathering on Monday, Mann framed the investment as a break from a “corrupt” past, asserting that new contracts now carry a mandatory five-year maintenance clause to ensure quality. “These will not be substandard roads like before,” Mann said. “If a contractor fails, payments are withheld and they face blacklisting. We are undertaking the largest road construction programme in the state’s history, targeting nearly 45,000 km of high-quality tarmac.”Irrigation and Water WarsA central pillar of the announcement is the rejuvenation of the canal system. The ₹27 crore allocation for the Ghaggar-Rajbaha and Sekhpur-Bahadarpur minors is expected to double irrigation coverage across 83 villages, expanding the reach from 21,050 acres to 40,066 acres. Mann took a swipe at neighboring Haryana, claiming Punjab had successfully fought in court to reclaim 25% of Bhakra canal water he alleged was being diverted. He said his govt had spent ₹6,500 crore statewide to take canal water to 1,444 villages for the first time in their history.Safety and SportThe CM also highlighted the success of the Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF), a dedicated highway patrol launched last year. Mann claimed the 1,597-strong force had reduced road fatalities by 48% since Feb 2025, an initiative he noted was recently lauded by Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Looking ahead, Mann announced that Punjab would return to the international sporting map by hosting the Asia Cup Hockey in Jalandhar and Mohali, following a long hiatus.Commuters Left StrandedWhile the event celebrated progress, local residents faced immediate logistical hurdles. More than 350 state-run PRTC buses were diverted to ferry party supporters to the rally, leaving regular commuters in the lurch. Students in nearby Nabha reported being forced onto dangerously overcrowded private buses to reach Patiala for examinations. The event also marked a political shift in the region; former PRTC chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana appeared on stage as the new “halka incharge”, replacing AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who remains in police custody following a high-profile criminal case. MSID:: 129902407 413 |
