Amritsar Set for Rural Road Upgrade, ₹3,500 Cr Works Announced
Amritsar’s rural connectivity is poised for a major overhaul as part of Punjab’s ₹3,500 crore plan to repair 19,000 km of link roads across the state. The announcement was made at a public event in the city, where authorities highlighted upcoming road infrastructure upgrades and launched a public library project. While the initiative promises improved rural mobility and public amenities, there was no timeline disclosed for the start of these large-scale repair works.
Amritsar stands to benefit significantly from Punjab’s broader infrastructure push, with the state allocating ₹3,500 crore to revamp rural road networks. The plan, which covers 19,000 km of link roads, is expected to resolve long-standing issues in rural accessibility and last-mile connectivity. In the city, officials said that over ₹350 crore has already been channelled into development works. This includes ₹56.36 crore for new road construction and ₹287.01 crore for road infrastructure upgrades. Public facilities are also getting attention, with ₹3.20 crore earmarked for constructing six new libraries, including the recently inaugurated public library at Company Bagh. Despite these announcements, there remains uncertainty about when the statewide road repair initiative will commence, as officials did not commit to a start date. Nonetheless, civic planners see the effort as a transformative step toward bolstering transport infrastructure and enhancing mobility in underserved rural regions, including those surrounding Amritsar.
Authorities also cited a series of cost-saving and public welfare measures, including the closure of 17 toll plazas across the state. This, they said, translates to daily savings of ₹64 lakh for commuters and logistics operators. Additionally, the state has claimed notable strides in road safety, with a 48% reduction in road accident fatalities since deploying a dedicated road safety force. The unit, comprising nearly 1,600 trained personnel equipped with 144 patrol vehicles, now operates across major road networks. Further infrastructure gains were also highlighted, such as the increase in canal irrigation coverage from 21% to 75%, reducing dependence on groundwater. The government attributed these improvements to integrated policy changes and stepped-up investments in public service delivery. While critics pointed to the lack of clarity around the Rural Development Fund’s status and fund release delays, officials reiterated that development would proceed regardless of central assistance, using state-led financial planning.
The ₹3,500 crore road rehabilitation plan marks a bold move to address Punjab’s rural mobility gaps, with Amritsar among the priority zones for development. The initiative complements a string of civic upgrades already underway in the city, including road infrastructure, libraries, and public utilities. While the timeline for repairs remains unspecified, the scale of investment signals a shift toward long-term infrastructure planning. Officials have also emphasised transparency and savings through toll removals, alongside gains in public safety. For residents of Amritsar and beyond, these steps offer cautious optimism that long-neglected rural routes may soon see meaningful improvement.
