The Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Prakash Singh Badal called on the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu here today to discuss issues relating to road development in the State of Punjab.
On the State Government’s request to reduce the land acquisition on a particular stretch of 500 meters on NH-22 in Zirakpur Town from 45 meters to 40 metres, Thiru Baalu assured the Chief Minister that a team of NHAI officials would be sent to visit the site very soon to sort out this issue.
Regarding Patiala-Bhatinda stretch of NH-64, Thiru Baalu informed the Chief Minister that the Inception report has already been submitted to the Government of India. The proposal for consultancy services has been included in the Annual Plan 2007-08, he said and the execution of work will be taken on BOT basis.
Regarding Amritsar-Pathankot stretch of NH-15, Thiru Baalu directed the Ministry officials to expedite sanction of the estimate submitted by the State PWD for the improvement of the 23 kms of the dilapidated stretch. In the meantime, the State PWD can go ahead with the bidding process. However, the award of the work should be done only after the sanction.
Thiru Baalu also assured the Punjab Chief Minister that the State Government’s request to extend the Ludhiana-Talwandi Bhai stretch upto Firozpur under NHDP-III, would be considered and a decision would be taken soon in this regard by NHAI.