Gadkari Warns NHAI Projects In Punjab Including Delhi-Katra Expressway May Be Abandoned Over Abysmal Law And Order Situation

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may move to terminate at least eight ongoing major highway and expressway projects in Punjab, worth around Rs 14,288 crore if the prevailing law and order situation in the state does not improve.

The warning was issued by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in a letter he wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann late last week.

Gadkari's letter was prompted by multiple instances of violence and intimidation directed against engineers, workers, and contractors engaged by NHAI in the ongoing construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. Engineers And others working on the project have been threatened that they will be burnt alive and their camp office will be set ablaze.

Gadkari mentioned at least two incidents in his letter.

“In one incident in Jalandhar district, the Engineer of the contractor was assaulted. Although FIR has been registered in this regard, strong action is required to be taken against the perpetrators. In another incident in Ludhiana District, the Project camp of the Contractor of the Delhi-Katra Expressway was attacked by miscreants who also threatened the Engineers to burn the project camp and their staff alive. However, FIR has still not been filed and the miscreants have not been arrested despite written requests by NHAI officers,” Gadkari wrote.

Gadkari also outlined serious safety concerns affecting NHAI officials, contractors, and their teams, along with ongoing land acquisition challenges. He included photographic evidence of recent assaults to underscore the urgency of the situation.

Gadkari noted that he had received assurances from the Punjab government during a review meeting held on July 15 that issues related to land acquisition and law enforcement would be prioritised.

Gadkari expressed his frustration at the lack of progress despite repeated reviews.

“No progress has been made, and the situation has further worsened.” He revealed that due to unresolved land acquisition matters and deteriorating law and order, several concessionaires have sought to terminate their contracts and have raised claims against the NHAI." he further added.

Gadkari also sought the urgent intervention of CM Mann.

“Due to pending issues related to land acquisition and the prevailing law and order conditions, many contractors-concessionaires have requested to foreclose contracts and have raised claims against NHAI. NHAI has already terminated three projects in Punjab, which have a total length of 104 km and cost Rs. 3,263 crore. If the situation does not improve, NHAI will have no other option but to cancel-terminate eight other severely affected projects with a total length of 293 km costing Rs. 14,288 crore.” Gadkari warned in his letter.

Incidentally, NHAI has already terminated three projects, amounting to Rs 3,263 crore, due to land availability challenges.

NHAI officials and engineers in Punjab have cited multiple instances where, despite acquiring 80 percent of the land, the contractor was not allowed to start work by farmer unions, which are protesting and demanding more compensation for the land owners. 

Delhi-Amritsar-Katra greenfield expressway

Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway, and several projects face several execution challenges in Punjab.

The 669 km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra greenfield expressway is currently under construction at an estimated cost of Rs 40,000 crore.

The ambitious greenfield expressway project aims to significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra, promoting regional connectivity and economic growth. However, the project has faced resistance from farmers, particularly regarding land acquisition and compensation.

Over the past few months, farmer protests have intensified, with many expressing dissatisfaction over the terms of compensation and the process of land acquisition. 

According to NHAI officials, land is still not made available for around 100 km out of the 400 km stretch passing through Punjab for the Delhi-Katra Expressway project. He added that most of this stretch is in Ludhiana and Gurdaspur districts

Phase 1 of the project involves the construction of a 398 km greenfield expressway connecting Delhi, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur and a 99 km spur connecting Nakodar and Amritsar. Phase 2 will connect Gurdaspur,Pathankot , Jammu and Katra.

The Punjab portion of the expressway passes through Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Gurdaspur districts while the alignment of greenfield connectivity to Amritsar crosses through Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, and Amritsar districts.

Phase 1 (all greenfield) was tendered out as 15 packages with the main Delhi – Gurdaspur Expressway comprising of 12 packages and the Nakodar-Amritsar spur consisting of three.