Punjab News Daily

Shahkot (Jalandhar), June 19

Delivering a permanent solution to the decades-old flood menace in Punjab’s Satluj belt while simultaneously transforming road connectivity in the region, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday laid the foundation stone of the 37.93-kilometre-long Dhussi Bund Link Road project in Shahkot constituency at a cost of Rs 61.82 crore. The ambitious project, connecting Shahkot-Moga-Rampur Road with Gidderpindi Dhussi Bund, has been uniquely designed to serve both as a vital road corridor and a strengthened flood protection barrier, benefiting thousands of families across 15 villages. 

Besides safeguarding residents from recurring floods that successive governments failed to address, the project will ease traffic congestion on key road networks, boost economic activity, and further strengthen the state’s rapidly expanding infrastructure under the Punjab Government’s ongoing drive to build world-class roads across the state. 

Rajya Sabha MP Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and others were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “This important road, to be constructed along the Sutlej River, will have a total length of 37.93 kilometres. Our Government has sanctioned 

Rs 61.82 crore for this major infrastructure project. People residing in Shahkot and Lohian regions have lived under the constant threat of floods for decades. Previous governments made tall promises during elections but neglected the basic infrastructure needs of this rural belt.”

The Chief Minister stated, “We believe in delivering results and not merely in making false promises. I have personally witnessed the hardships faced by the people of this area when villages were disconnected during the rainy season. The construction of this road on the Dhussi Bund will further strengthen the embankment along the Sutlej River and serve as a strong shield against flood-related risks for the local population.”

He further added, “The road will provide significant daily commuting convenience to approximately 15,000-16,000 residents living in nearly 15 villages of the area. It will connect the Shahkot–Moga Road with the Lohian–Makhu Road and function as an effective bypass, substantially reducing traffic congestion on the existing route. During the monsoon season, this road will prove to be a boon for farmers, school buses and the general public by ensuring smooth and uninterrupted transportation.”

“Our Government is committed to providing strong rural infrastructure across Punjab and ensuring a high-quality road and transportation network. This project is not merely the construction of a road; it is an investment in safety, connectivity, economic growth and a better quality of life for the people of the Shahkot-Lohian region,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Listing the other pro-people and development-oriented initiatives of his government, the Chief Minister stated that, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for me that the AAP government has provided more than 67,000 government jobs to the youth. The era of cash payments and favouritism has ended in Punjab and now youth are getting jobs solely on the basis of their merit and eligibility.”

“Government jobs can be obtained by eligible candidates purely on merit due to which not even a single appointment has been challenged in court,” he added.

Highlighting the achievements in healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state has significantly strengthened primary healthcare delivery through its landmark initiative of around 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics, strategically established across both urban and rural areas. These clinics are built on the pillars of standardization, offering 107 essential medicines and 47 diagnostic tests entirely free of cost, supported by IT-enabled real-time reporting. The response from the people has been transformative as over 5.54 crore OPD visits have been recorded till date, with approximately 84,000 patients served every single day and more than 90% receiving all prescribed medicines free of cost at the clinic itself.”