In a major push for urban development, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema has announced an ambitious project to upgrade city streets to world-class standards. This landmark initiative, a first for the state, will begin with the transformation of 42 kilometers of key roads in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar, with an investment exceeding ₹140 crore.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Finance Minister Harpal emphasized that the project would be expanded to other cities based on its success and public response. The initiative focuses on four key areas: resolving traffic congestion, ensuring uniform road width, enhancing drainage systems, and redesigning streets for improved accessibility and aesthetics.
The project will introduce universally accessible, visually appealing footpaths with landscaping to combat dust pollution. Essential services like streetlights, bus stands, and water-supply lines will be restructured for efficiency. A unique aspect of the plan is a long-term maintenance strategy, requiring contractors to ensure road upkeep for ten years, promoting accountability and durability.
The project will be executed in three phases. The initial four-month phase involves designing streets with input from top urban planners and international experts. The second phase, spanning eight months, will see construction in adherence to global standards. The final phase guarantees a decade-long maintenance plan, supplemented by regular mechanized cleaning.
The transformation will cover key roads in:
Amritsar – 17.5 km, including Majitha Road, Court Road, and GT Road.
Ludhiana – 12.4 km, including Old GT Road, Chaura Bazaar, and Ghumar Mandi Road.
Jalandhar – 12.3 km, including HMV Road, Tanda Road, and Model Town Main Road.
Highlighting the contrast between Punjab’s urban infrastructure and the well-planned cities abroad that many Punjabis visit, Finance Minister Harpal criticized previous governments (SAD-BJP and Congress) for lacking vision and political will to modernize city streets.
He asserted that under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Punjab is setting a new benchmark in urban development. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and enhanced quality of life, this initiative aims to redefine the state’s urban landscape and bring Punjab’s cities to international standards.