CM Bhagwant Singh Mann giving Punjab’s villages roads they were denied for decades: Harpal Singh Cheema

Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday dedicated and laid foundation stones for a series of road infrastructure and development projects worth more than ₹18.76 crore in the Lehragaga region, giving a major boost to rural connectivity and strengthening the local economy. The projects are aimed at eliminating safety hazards, improving rural infrastructure and ensuring all-weather connectivity for thousands of villagers.

What did Harpal Singh Cheema say?

Highlighting the vision of the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the government is transforming rural Punjab by actively strengthening nearly 40,000 kilometres of roads across the state, thereby delivering better connectivity and basic amenities to villages that had remained neglected for decades.

Addressing a public gathering in village Daska, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema dedicated a 10.5-kilometre road connecting Bachhuana to Bareta via Daska and Bahadurpur, which has been widened from 12 feet to 18 feet at a cost of ₹7.15 crore. The widening of the road is expected to resolve long-standing traffic bottlenecks and safety concerns caused by the previously narrow and dilapidated route.

The Finance Minister also dedicated a newly constructed 4-kilometre metalled road connecting Daska and Khatri Wala at a cost of ₹1.27 crore, converting a long-standing dirt track into an all-weather road. In addition, a 1-kilometre link road leading to Dera Baba Dhaula Pir on the Daska-Bahadurpur stretch was completed at a cost of ₹34.50 lakh, facilitating smoother travel for devotees and local residents.

Expanding the development footprint to Baghrol and nearby villages, Harpal Singh Cheema dedicated development works and laid foundation stones for projects worth nearly ₹10 crore. In the presence of village Sarpanches, Panchayat members and local residents, he announced the construction of a 3-kilometre road from Baghrol to Bujrak at a cost of ₹1.10 crore and a 2.35-kilometre road connecting Baghrol with Burj Tilla and Kheri Nagaiyan at a cost of more than ₹1 crore.

He further highlighted that ₹1.16 crore has been spent on the construction of a 2.75-kilometre road linking Baghrol and Ballamgarh. Among the major initiatives undertaken in the area is the paving of nearly 12 kilometres of earthen roads that had remained neglected for nearly 70 to 80 years. These roads are being transformed into paved road networks at a cost of ₹5.25 crore, significantly improving connectivity and accessibility in the region.

The Finance Minister also dedicated a newly constructed bridge that has strengthened transportation links between two prominent villages, further enhancing connectivity in the area.

Highlighting ongoing infrastructure works, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “A nearly 4-kilometre road from Baghrol to Kheri Dagaiyan, including the village phirni, is currently under construction at a cost of ₹1.83 crore. Simultaneously, widening works are underway on the roads connecting Baghrol with Kangrodi and Kamalpur at an estimated cost of ₹4.50 crore.”

Collectively, the ongoing construction and expansion works cover nearly 19 kilometres of roads around the Baghrol area and are expected to address transportation challenges that have affected agricultural activity and economic mobility for generations.

What did Harpal Singh Cheema say about rural development?

Reiterating the commitment of the Bhagwant Mann Government towards balanced development, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The Bhagwant Mann Government is prioritising rural development to bridge the gap between urban and rural infrastructure. While rural road networks had suffered from neglect for decades, the government considers the provision of quality basic infrastructure to every village an essential priority.”

Large numbers of local residents, administrative officials, community leaders and Panchayat representatives attended the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremonies and welcomed the projects, which are expected to ease daily commuting, strengthen transportation networks and provide a significant boost to the rural economy.