Punjab government has urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to accelerate work on critical road projects, including the Adampur airport approach road, the Ludhiana-Ropar highway, and the Delhi-Katra expressway. The appeal comes amid growing concerns over project delays that threaten to affect regional connectivity, trade efficiency, and upcoming airport operations in the state.
During a recent high-level meeting between state officials and the NHAI leadership, Punjab’s industry representatives underscored the urgency of developing the 3-kilometre approach stretch leading to Adampur airport. The road, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has seen little progress. Officials emphasised that a timely upgrade was essential to ensure safe, seamless access for passengers and to operationalise the airport efficiently. Concerns were also raised about the Ludhiana-Ropar highway, where execution delays have persisted for several months. The state government pressed for re-tendering and fast-tracking of pending works, citing the project’s importance to industrial logistics and regional mobility. To expedite progress, Punjab has offered full cooperation in terms of land and soil availability in line with the state’s mining policy.
Another pressing matter discussed was the delay in fund disbursement for the Delhi-Katra expressway. Technical glitches in the central funds portal have disrupted the release of payments, stalling key phases of work and impacting contractors’ timelines. The NHAI chairman has now directed the regional office in Punjab to immediately resolve portal-related issues and restore smooth fund flow to keep the project on schedule. The review also extended to the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) parking project, which has been mired in bureaucratic approvals. State officials urged NHAI to grant the pending clearances to initiate construction without further delay. The project, once completed, is expected to ease freight movement and reduce roadside congestion on major corridors.
In addition, the Ludhiana cycle track—being developed as a pilot project under NHAI’s sustainable mobility initiative—was flagged for its sluggish progress. The state called for stricter monitoring and regional-level intervention to ensure timely completion. The cycle track aims to provide a safe, low-carbon commuting option and enhance non-motorised transport infrastructure in the industrial belt. Officials also reviewed the condition of the Jalandhar-Amritsar highway, where repair and maintenance work has lagged. An accelerated plan has been proposed to improve road safety and traffic management along the busy stretch, which serves as a key route for both commuters and freight.
With commercial operations at Halwara airport expected to begin soon, Punjab pressed NHAI to prioritise road connectivity projects in the Malwa region. The authority assured that coordinated planning efforts were underway to strengthen approach routes to both Adampur and Halwara airports, which are critical to improving intra-state air access. The state government concluded the meeting by urging NHAI to step up regular maintenance of highways across Punjab, particularly by improving night-time visibility and ensuring timely surface restoration. Such measures, it noted, would not only enhance commuter safety but also promote economic activity through reliable transport networks.
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