**Executive Summary**
This document addresses a question raised in the Lok Sabha on February 12, 2026, regarding delays in highway projects in Punjab inaugurated in 2024. The response details the status of 29 highway projects, comprising both National Highway (NH) and State road projects under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme, and outlines measures taken to address project delays. Project completion dates vary with some work sanctioned but delayed due to reasons such as land hand-over issues, statutory clearances, and others.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Overview:**
* 29 highway projects in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, were inaugurated/foundation laid in 2024.
* These projects consist of 16 National Highway (NH) projects and 13 projects on State roads under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme.
* **Responsibility and Funding:**
* The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of NHs.
* MoRTH also allocates funds for State Governments / Union Territories (UTs) for the development and maintenance of State Roads under the CRIF Scheme.
* State Governments/UTs must finalize a list of projects for approval by MoRTH, with approval and financial sanction by the concerned State Governments/UTs, with permissible excess costs of up to 10% over approved costs.
* Project implementation is the responsibility of the concerned State/UT Government, with project monitoring and quality control done at the State/UT level.
* **Delays and Reasons:**
* 14 out of 16 NH projects are delayed due to reasons like delay in handing over land, statutory clearances/permissions, delay in approval of General Arrangement Drawings (GAD) of Railway ROBs/RUBs, and force majeure events (e.g., heavy rainfall).
* 6 out of 13 State Road projects under the CRIF scheme lack administrative approval from the State Government of Punjab.
* The progress/award of the remaining 7 State Road projects are delayed for reasons like delay in handing over land, statutory clearances/permissions, and delay in approval of GAD of Railway ROBs.
* **Measures to Expedite Progress:**
* The Ministry actively monitors NH projects in close coordination with implementing agencies, State Governments, contractors/developers.
* Periodic review meetings are held at various levels, and steps are taken to remove site hindrances and improve liquidity of funds for contractors/developers.
* Possession drives are carried out in close coordination with the State Government and District Administrations.
* Initiatives have been taken to reduce delays, including streamlining land acquisition, environment clearances, online approval of GAD, and revamping dispute resolution mechanisms.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government of Punjab**
* **Impact**: Required to give administrative approvals for state road projects finalized under the CRIF scheme and responsible for project implementation, monitoring, and quality control.
* **Action Required**: Expedite administrative approvals for remaining state road projects and collaborate with the Ministry to address delays related to land hand-over and statutory clearances.
**Stakeholder: Project Contractors/Developers**
* **Impact**: Facing delays due to site hindrances, land acquisition, and approval processes, potentially impacting project timelines and costs.
* **Action Required**: Actively participate in review meetings, coordinate with authorities to resolve site hindrances, and manage fund utilization effectively.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)**
* **Impact**: Accountable for monitoring project progress, allocating funds, and ensuring timely completion of highway projects.
* **Action Required**: Continue coordinating with State Governments and project stakeholders, streamlining processes, and taking steps to remove hindrances to expedite project progress.
**Stakeholder: General Public/Citizens**
* **Impact**: Delays in highway projects affect transportation efficiency and connectivity, impacting travel times and economic activities.
* **Action Required**: Stay informed about project timelines and provide feedback to relevant authorities regarding any concerns or issues.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The primary ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs) and for allocating funds for State Governments / Union Territories (UTs) for State Roads under the CRIF scheme.
National Highways (NH): Highway projects under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme: A scheme under which funds are allocated for development and maintenance of State Roads, with project list approval by MoRTH as per the CRIF Act, 2000.
Punjab: The state where the highway projects are located, making it central to the policy's applicability.
Lok Sabha: The house of the parliament where the unstarred question regarding highway projects was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2141
ANSWERED ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026
DELAY IN HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN PUNJAB
2141. DR RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) Whether it is a fact that there has been considerable delay in the
progress of many of the 29 highway projects inaugurated by the
Government in 2024 in Hoshiarpur, Punjab;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor, project-
wise;
(c) The details of the total cost escalation in the proposed projects due
to the delay in their execution;
(d) Whether the Government is taking any measures to ensure the
completion of all these highway projects in a time-bound manner and if
so, the details thereof, project-wise; and
(e) Whether the Government is planning any new highway projects in
the State of Punjab and if so, the details thereof especially in the
Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha Constituency?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (e) 29 nos. of highway projects inaugurated/foundation laid in 2024
in Hoshiarpur consist of 16 nos. of National Highways (NH) projects and
13 nos. of projects on State roads under Central Road Infrastructure Fund
(CRIF) Scheme.Government in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is primarily
responsible for development & maintenance of NHs.
The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MoRTH) also allocates funds for State Governments / Union Territories
(UTs) for development and maintenance of State Roads under the CRIF
Scheme as per the provisions of the amended CRIF Act, 2000. The
criteria inter-alia provides for finalization of list of projects by State
Governments/ UTs to be approved by MoRTH. Administrative Approval,
Technical Approval and Financial Sanction of projects of the approved
list is given by concerned State Governments/ UTs, with permissible
excess cost of upto 10 percentage over approved cost. Further
responsibility for Project implementation lies with the concerned State
/ UT Government, with Project monitoring and quality control of works
to be done at State / UT level at regular intervals ensuring timely
completion of works. Government in MoRTH releases funds to the State
Governments / UTs based on the submission of Utilization Certificates
of funds released earlier under CRIF.
Out of 16 nos. of NH projects, 14 nos. NH projects are delayed for
various reasons such as delay in handing over of land, delay in statutory
clearances / permissions, delay in approval of General Arrangement
Drawing (GAD) of Railway ROBs / RUBs and Force Majeure events like
heavy rainfall, etc. The project wise details are at Annexure-I.
Out of 13 nos. of State Road projects finalized under CRIF scheme,
State Government of Punjab has not given Administrative approval of 6
nos. projects. The progress/award of remaining 7 no. projects are delayed
for various reasons such as delay in handing over of land, delay in
statutory clearances / permissions, delay in approval of GAD of Railway
ROBs, etc. The project wise details are at Annexure-II.
The Ministry actively monitors NH projects in close coordination
with project implementing agencies, State Governments, contractors /
developers. Periodic review meetings are held at various levels, and steps
are taken to remove site hindrances and to improve liquidity of funds
available with contractors/developers, to expedite progress. Possessiondrives are carried out in close coordination with the State Government
and District Administrations.
In addition, various initiatives have been taken to avoid or reduce
project delays, including streamlining land acquisition & environment
clearances, online approval of General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) of
Railway ROBs/RUBs, revamping dispute resolution mechanism, in active
collaboration with the State Governments and other stakeholders.
Development and maintenance of NHs is a continuous process.
Works on NHs are accordingly taken up based on the traffic density,
condition of road and synergy with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to
keep the NHs in traffic worthy condition.Annexure-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2141 FOR ANSWER ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026 ASKED BY
DR RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL REGARDING DELAY IN HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN
PUNJAB.
Details of 16 nos. NH projects in Punjab which were inaugurated/foundation laid in Hoshiarpur, in 2024.
Sr. Project Name Total Total Appoint Scheduled Actual/
No. Length Project ed Date Completio Expected
(km) Cost n Date Completio
(Cr.) n Date
1 4-laning of Phagwara to Hoshiarpur road (NH 48.62 1196.38 31.03.202 30.03.2027 31.03.2027
344B) including Phagwara & Hoshiarpur 5
Bypass under Bharatmala Pariyojna (Design
length: 48.622 km) in the State of Punjab on
Hybrid Annuity Mode.
2 Construction of 4-Lane (Partial Access 17.041 438.6 28.06.20 25.12.2019 05.04.2021
Controlled) Laddowal Bypass from km. 0.000 17
to Km.17.041 Linking NH-95 with NH-1 via
Laddowal seed Farm at Ludhiana in the State
of Punjab on Hybrid Annuity Mode
3 Four Laning of existing two lane with paved 23.66 354.52 15.01.20 13.01.2021 10.02.2022
shoulder road from Talwandi Bhai to 19
Ferozepur NH-05 (Old NH-95) from km
170.380 to km 194.040 in the state of Punjab
on EPC mode
4 Construction of Six Lane Flyover at km 3.5 107.68 15.03.20 15.09.2022 17.05.2023
315+200 and Construction of entry/exit ramp 21
from km 320+300 to km 320+840 and
Construction of Additional Two Lane ROB on
Both sides of Existing Four Lane ROB at km
311+865 along with approaches and
Construction of VUP at km 311+770 along with
improvement of Sherpur Chowk on Panipat-
Jalandhar section of NH-44 (Old NH-1) in the
state of Punjab
5 Construction of LVUP near Dakoha railway 0.985 13.66 21.02.20 20.02.2023 29.12.2023
crossing at Jalandhar City on old NH-01 (New 22
NH-44) at Km. 370.100 including entry/exit in
State of Punjab on EPC mode.
6 Work of construction of 4-lane with paved 18.77 539.4 Work was originally sanctioned on
shoulder of Ferozepur Bypass from existing 12.12.2023 but due to non-handing
Ch. km 212.500 to km 229.690 (design Ch. km over of land, civil work component of
231.270) section of NH - 354 on EPC Mode in sanctioned provision is deleted and
the State of Punjab. (LENGTH = 18.770 KM). revised estimate for Rs. 122.17 Cr is
sanctioned for completion of pre-
construction activities.
7 Construction of Dadwindi realignment starting 2.4 114.6 Work was sanctioned on 31.03.2023
from existing Km 36.250 and terminating at but due to non-handing over of land,
existing Km 38.650 including 2-lane ROB on civil work component of sanctioned
NH-703A on EPC mode in the State of Punjab. provision is deleted and revised
(Job No: NH-703A-PB-2022-23-568) estimate for Rs. 24.98 Cr is
sanctioned for completion of pre-
construction activities.8 Rehabilitation and Up-gradation to 2 Lane with 13 94.6 28-08- 20-02- 31-12-
paved shoulders of Patto Jawahar Singh Wala 2024 2026 2026
to Dina village Kangar road section of NH-254
Design Chainage from Km 38+000 to Km
51+200 in the State of Punjab.
9 Construction of 2 lanes ROB over L.C.NO. S- 1.06 87.51 21-12- 20-12- 31-12-
53/T-2 atCH. 50+665 of NH-703A (Jalandhar - 2023 2025 2026
Kapurthala - Sultanpur Lodhi - Makhu) in the
State of Punjab on EPC mode. (Job No. NH-
703A-PB-2021-22-556)
10 Four Laning with paved shoulders from Km 7.25 52.99 08-12- 07-06- 30-04-
29.00 to Km 36.25 Section of Jalandhar 2023 2025 2026
Kapurthala Sultanpur Lodhi Lohian Makhu
Road, NH-703A, (7.25 km), and strengthening
of existing road from km 23.400 to km
1229.000 & from km 36.25 to km 3713.68
stretch of NH-703A
11 Cons14truction of Rail Over Bridge in lieu o15f 0.01 43.44 08-07- 20-03- 31-12-
Railway Crossing no.E/2 on Ferozepu16r- 2024 2026 2026
Fazlika Rail section at Km 2/4-5 & on NH-
95(New NH-05) section Ferozepur to Indo Pak
Border at km 205.320 (near Ferozepur city &
village Madhre) in the State of Punjab on EPC
mode. (Job No. NH-95 (New NH-05)-PB-2021-
22-550)
12 Providing Road safety and flood damage 6.8 17.77 08-12- 07-12- 30-04-
repair from Km 54.00 to 60.800 on Jalandhar – 2023 2024 2025
Kapurthala – Sultanpur Lodhi (Dadwindi) –
Lohian Makhu Road NH 703A in the state of
Punjab on EPC Mode.
13 Rehabilitation and up-gradation to 2 lane with 24.6 192.48 15-11- 14-05- 30-06-
paved shoulder of NH-703A from Makhu 2019 2021 2024
(Design Ch 0+000) to Arifke (Design Ch
24+600) including constrcution of two ROBs
(Project Length =24.600 km) in the State of
Punjab on EPC mode.(Job No. NH-703A-PB-
2017-18-489)
14 Construction of 4 lane ROB and its 1.3 58.77 17-12- 16-12- 30-11-
approaches in lieu of existing level crossing LC 2019 2021 2023
No.92-C at Km 63 on NH-503E in Nangal near
Ajouli Mour in the State of Punjab
15 Four Laning with paved shoulders of the road 8.68 39.68 20-02- 19-02- 30-11-
section from Km 4.040 to Km 12.720 (length 2019 2020 2022
8.680 Km) on Jalandhar-Kapurthala-Sultanpur
Lodhi-Makhu NH-703A.
16 Strengthening of road from Km 0.00 to 0.715, 13.415 19.34 28-02- 15-03- 15-03-
Km 1.880 to Km 4.04 and from Km 37.680 to 2022 2023 2023
Km 48.49 of NH 703A under NH Division PWD
B&R Jaandhar in the state of Punjab on EPC
ModeAnnexure-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2141 FOR ANSWER ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026 ASKED BY
DR RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL REGARDING DELAY IN HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN
PUNJAB.
Details of 13 nos. CRIF projects in Punjab which were inaugurated/foundation laid in Hoshiarpur, in 2024.
Sr. Project Name Total Total Appointed Scheduled Actual/
No. Length Project Date Completio Expected
(km) Cost n Date Completio
(Cr.) n Date
1 Construction of Railway Over bridge on Jandiala RoB
Gehri Khujaja road crossing Amritsar Dehli
45.75 - - -
Railway line at C-36/T-3 railway crossing in
Distt. Amritsar.
2 Constn. of High Level Bridge 5 Span 20.60 m RoB
each off over East Being X-ing Jalandhar-
10.00 27.11.2024 26.11.2025 30.09.2026
Jandiala- Nurmehal Talwan Road Near Village
Kangniwal km 12.80 in Distt.Jalandhar
3 Construction of ROB at LC No. S-55 Section RoB
Kartarpur-Kapurthala road at RD 448/ T-3 SNL- 45.00 - - -
ASR Rail Setion
4 Construction of 4 lane ROB at Level Crossing RoB
No. S-25/E-2 old (A-25) at Km 0.800 to MDR-48 82.88 19.06.2024 18.06.2026 30.06.2026
in Distt. Tarn Taran
5 Upgradation of Ludhiana-Rahon Road (MDR-54) 11.43 43.46 29.12.2023 28.09.2024 31.08.2026
6 Four laning of old Amritsar- Tarn Taran road
section from Km 114.200 to 126.500 in District 12.30 61.24 09.02.2024 08.02.2026 31.03.2027
Amritsar & Tarn Taran (MDR-103)
7 Hard shouldering and Strengthening G.T road to
Ghari Mandi and Jandiala Tarn Taran Road 17.97 12.19 18.12.2023 17.11.2024 31.12.2025
(MDR-89)
8 Upgradation of Road from Amritsar Delhi
National Highway (NH-1) Tangra to Muchal to
Dehriwal To Tarsikka to saidpur to Udhonangal 21.00 13.76 - - -
Amritsar Hoshiarpur Road (NH 503A) (Excluding
section Muchal to Dehriwal) in Distt.Amritsar.
9 Upgradation of Road from Amritsar Hoshiarpur
Road (NH-503A) Khojala to Tarsikka to Saidpur
to Nath di khui along distributary to Tarsika to
30.70 22.34 - - -
Amritsar Delhi National Highway (NH1) Tangra
to Ekalgadda Upto Jandiala Verowal Road in
Distt.Amritsar.
10 Construction of New Road on Dhusi Bandh
Traverse along River Ravi from Ghonewal 53.22 78.42 24.11.2025 23.05.2027 23.05.2027
Ramdass Road to Gulgarh in District Amritsar
11 Widening/ Strengthening of Subhanpur- Nadala-
17.61 42.49 - - -
Bholath Road (MDR-47)
12 Upgradation & Strengthning of Plan road Lahori
Mal (Gharinda) to Dhand in Constituency Attari 11.91 12.30 - - -
in District Amritsar (ODR)
13 Upgradation of Beas to Dera Baba Jaimal Singh
20.47 20.26
Sathiala Butala Kartarpur Raod (MDR-89)
*****