Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has issued a stern warning to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding the potential cancellation of major highway projects in the state. Valued at Rs 14,288 crore, these projects face threats of termination due to ongoing law and order issues, particularly in the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. Gadkari emphasized that if the situation does not improve, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) might be forced to take drastic action.
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- Nitin Gadkari warned Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann of possible highway project cancellations.
- Eight major highway projects in Punjab, worth Rs 14,288 crore, are at risk.
- Law and order issues are the primary reason for the potential cancellations.
- Recent incidents include attacks on engineers and workers in Jalandhar.
- Threats of arson and violence have been reported against project staff in Ludhiana.
- Gadkari highlighted that cancelling even one segment could render the entire project ineffective.
- Safety concerns for NHAI officers, contractors, and employees were outlined in Gadkari’s letter.
- Pending land acquisition issues also pose significant challenges to the projects.
- Gadkari expressed disappointment over the lack of progress since a review meeting on July 15.
- Three previous projects worth Rs 3,263 crore were already terminated due to similar issues.
