Punjab News Daily
Chandigarh, May 31

In a major boost to rural connectivity and regional economy, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday dedicated and laid foundation stones for a series of comprehensive road infrastructure and development projects totaling over Rs 18.76 crore. These massive upgrades aim to eliminate safety hazards, boost rural infrastructure, and ensure all-weather transit for thousands of villagers. Asserting the core vision of the current administration, the Finance Minister highlighted that the government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is transforming rural Punjab by actively strengthening 40,000 kilometres of roads across the state, thereby delivering basic amenities and robust connectivity to long-neglected villages.

As part of the initial phase of public dedications, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema detailed a series of crucial upgrades aimed at easing traffic congestion and enhancing commuter safety in the Lehragaga region. Addressing a large public gathering in Village Daska, the Minister inaugurated a 10.5-kilometre stretch connecting Village Bachhuana to Bareta via Daska and Bahadurpur, which has been widened from 12 feet to 18 feet at a total cost of Rs 7.15 crore. This expansion effectively resolves long-standing bottlenecks and persistent safety risks caused by the previously narrow and dilapidated route. Additionally, a new 4-kilometre metalled road was constructed between Village Daska and Khatri Wala at a cost of Rs 1.27 crore, permanently transforming a historical dirt track into an all-weather passageway. To further facilitate smooth local travel for spiritual devotees, a 1-kilometre link road leading to Dera Baba Dhaula Pir on the Daska-Bahadurpur stretch was also completed with an investment of Rs 34.50 lakh.

Expanding the developmental footprint to Baghrol and its surrounding clusters, the Finance Minister unveiled additional development works and laid foundation stones for projects valued at nearly Rs 10 crore. Celebrating the occasion alongside village Sarpanches, local Panchayats, and community workers, Cheema announced the construction of a 3-kilometre road from Baghrol to Bujrak costing Rs 1.10 crore, as well as a 2.35-kilometre road connecting Baghrol to Burj Tilla and Kheri Nagaiyan for over Rs 1 crore. A further allocation of Rs 1.16 crore has been utilized for a 2.75-kilometre road from Baghrol to Ballamgarh. Most notably, the administration has targeted 12 kilometres of previously unpaved earthen paths that had remained completely neglected for the last 70 to 80 years, transforming them into paved networks with an expenditure of Rs 5.25 crore. Furthermore, a critical new bridge has been completed in the zone, successfully strengthening the transportation link between two prominent local villages.