The Punjab Government has undertaken a slew of major infrastructure development projects worth Rs 11,493.89 crore in Ludhiana district to convert the industrial hub of the state into a smart and ultra-modern city, Chief Secretary, Vini Mahajan, said in Ludhiana on Saturday.
Reviewing the progress of major development works during a meeting with the district administration officials, she said a 24x7 surface water supply project was being executed at a cost of Rs 3,383.89 crore, for which the land has been identified and an amount of Rs 38 crore has already been released. Land registration process should be completed by August 31.
Mahajan said the land acquisition process for the construction of new national highways -- Delhi-Katra expressway, four-laning of Talwandi Bhai to Ferozepur, Ludhiana-Talwandi NH-95, Kharar-Ludhiana and Ladhowal bypass with a total cost of Rs 5,700 crore should be completed by October 15.
To give relief to the people from pollution of Buddha Nullah, a seasonal tributary of the Sutlej flowing through Ludhiana, the Chief Secretary said the rejuvenation of the Buddha Nullah at a cost of Rs 650 crore was going on in full swing and this project would be completed by December next year.
She said the construction of the international airport at Halwara would be completed by January next to improve the air connectivity of the industrial city, also known as Manchester of India, besides bringing investment and jobs for the district.
To bolster the industrial sector and create jobs, Mahajan desired that the upcoming hi-tech cycle valley at Dhanansu village should be made fully operational by February next. The valley has already attracted prominent industry players such as Hero Cycles, Aditya Birla Group and JK Paper Limited. Hero Cycles Limited has already set up their anchor unit with a production capacity of 4 million bicycles per annum, especially e-bikes and premium bikes. Similarly, Aditya Birla Group has proposed to invest around Rs 1,000 crore in the hi-tech valley.
Under the smart village campaign, as many as 3,353 development works with a cost of Rs 200 crore were going on in full swing and should also be completed by October.
The Chief Secretary said that new bus stands were being constructed in Mullanpur Dakha, Raikot and Khanna with a cost of Rs 5 crore, Rs 3.87 crore and Rs 3.73 crore, respectively. The projects for providing water supply and sewerage schemes at Raikot, Samrala and Khanna with a cost of Rs 31 crore, Rs 23 crore and Rs 124 crore, respectively, should be completed by December 31 this year.
She said that the construction of the much-awaited integrated rail over bridge and rail under bridge project on Pakhowal road with a cost of Rs 123 crore was going on in full swing and this project would be completed soon.