Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has warned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may be forced to cancel or terminate eight critical highway projects in the state, covering a total of 293 km and costing ₹14,288 crore, if the law and order situation does not improve.
In a letter dated 9 August, Gadkari cited two recent incidents on the Delhi-Katra Expressway as evidence of escalating violence and threats to contractors and engineers.
In one incident in Jalandhar district, an engineer was brutally assaulted, prompting an FIR to be filed. However, Gadkari emphasised the need for stronger action against the perpetrators.
Another incident occurred in Ludhiana district, where miscreants attacked a project camp, threatened to set it ablaze, and harm the staff. Despite NHAI officials’ written requests, no FIR has been filed, and the culprits remain at large, according to the minister.
Gadkari warned that if the situation does not improve, NHAI would have no option but to cancel or terminate eight severely affected projects, primarily greenfield corridors.
He noted that cancelling even one package could render the entire corridor useless. Contractors have already begun requesting to foreclose contracts and raising claims against NHAI due to issues related to land acquisition and security concerns.
The minister revealed that NHAI has already terminated three projects in Punjab, amounting to ₹3,263 crore, due to land availability challenges. This development follows a recent review of national highway projects on 15 July, where Gadkari was assured that pending issues, including land acquisition and law and order, would be resolved on a priority basis. However, he expressed disappointment that no progress had been made and that the situation had worsened.
Gadkari urged the Punjab government to take immediate corrective measures, file FIRs, and take strong action against the perpetrators to prevent further incidents. He stressed that restoring the confidence of NHAI officials and the staff of concessionaires is essential.
Photos of the assaults were attached to Gadkari’s communication with the Punjab Chief Minister.
NHAI is currently developing greenfield and brownfield national highway corridors, including the Delhi-Katra Expressway, in Punjab.
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