Parliament Question: Progress of national highway projects in Punjab

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385 ANSWERED ON – 11/02/2026 PROGRESS OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN PUNJAB 1385. DR. SANDEEP KUMAR PATHAK: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the total number of National Highway projects currently under construction in the State of Punjab and the number of these projects that are delayed beyond the stipulated timelines, project- wise details thereof; (b) whether any official data is available with Government regarding the causes of delays in National Highway projects in Punjab, such as cost escalation, land acquisition, environmental clearances and negligence of contractors, the details thereof; and (c) the concrete and time-bound steps taken by Government so far to ensure timely completion of the delayed projects, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (c) District-wise and Project-wise status of 37 numbers of ongoing National Highways (NHs) projects in the State of Punjab, their scheduled and expected completion date is enclosed at Annexure I. District-wise and Project-wise status of remaining 15 numbers of Sanctioned/ Awarded NH projects in the State of Punjab is enclosed at Annexure II. 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. At present, 4 National Highway Projects are stalled in the State of Punjab mainly due to delay in land acquisition, issue of non-reimbursement of transportation cost of pond ash by the Thermal Power Plants of the State in accordance with the notification dated 25.01.2016 of theGovernment in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and non-availability of earth. The project-wise details are at Annexure III. Due to non-supply of pond ash free of cost and non-reimbursement of transportation costs for pond ash for projects taken up between 25.01.2016 and 31.12.2021, Contractors and Concessionaires are unwilling to continue with project implementation and are staking claims for compensation, including resorting to arbitration. Wherever there are defaults attributable to Contractors/Concessionaires, actions against defaulting agencies are taken up as per the provisions of the Contract/ Concession agreement in cases of delays, deficiencies/ damages, such as termination of contract agreement, levying of penalties/ liquidated damages, debarment/ blacklisting, declaring as non-performers etc. Government 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 improve liquidity of funds available with contractors/developers, to expedite progress. 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, premium re-scheduling, one- time fund infusion, etc. Cooperation and support of the State Government has been sought from time to time, to remove impediments to project implementation.ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 ASKED BY DR. SANDEEP KUMAR PATHAK REGARDING PROGRESS OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN PUNJAB District wise and Project wise status of Ongoing National Highways (NHs) projects in the State of Punjab: Sl Name of the Leng TP Districts Physi Sched Expected Reasons for Penalties Remarks no Project th (in C from cal uled Completion delay imposed Km) (Rs which Progr Comp Date on in Project is ess letion Contractor Cr) passing (%) date /Concessio naire for delays (if any) 1 4L of Amritsar- 35.13 128 Amritsar 58.20 17.09. 30.06.2026 LA issues, Local Nil - Ghoman - 0.37 2023 farmers Tanda - Una demand, COS Section from Km 8.270 to Km 54.000 of NH- 503A (Package- I) 2 Amritsar(airport 38.98 524. Amritsar 78.00 26.10. 31.03.2026 LA issues, Local Nil - Junction) - 88 2024 farmers Ramdas from demand, COS km. 100.835 to km. 139.813 (Pkg - IV) 3 DAK 28.07 195 Amritsar 29.33 30.08. 30.11.2026 LA issues, non- Nil - Expressway 1.7 2024 reimbursement (Phase-I Spur- of pond ash III) transportation cost by State TPPs, Local farmers demand, COS, 4 Amritsar 49.94 147 Amritsar 79.33 16.04. 05.05.2026 LA issues, non - Nil - Bypass (Pkg III) 4.77 2026 reimbursement from km. 71.496 of pond ash to km. 105.158 transportation cost by State TPPs, Local farmers demand, COS, 5 DAK 16.9 216 Kapurthala 27.48 21.06. 31.12.2027 LA issues, non - Nil - Expressway 5.23 & Taran 2025 reimbursement (Amritsar Taran of pond ash Connectivity) transportation (Spur-1) cost by State TPPs, Local farmers demand, COS -1-6 Beas-Baba- 31.3 937. Amritsar & 63.65 21.06. 31.12.2026 LA issues, Local Nil - Bakala-Batala- 82 Gurdaspur 2025 farmers Dera Baba demand, COS Nanak (PKG-I) 7 Beas-Baba- 37.8 100 Gurdaspur 77.20 29.12. 31.05.2026 LA issues, Local Nil - Bakala-Batala- 3.38 2024 farmers Dera Baba demand, COS Nanak (PKG-II) 8 Greenfield 43.32 103 Moga & 75.00 29.12. 31.05.2026 LA issues, Local Nil - Moga to 2.59 Faridkot 2024 farmers Bajakhana demand, COS section of NH- 105B 9 4-lane 24.93 646. Bathinda, 98.60 31.07. 30.01.2026 LA issues, Local Nil - Greenfield 4 Sri Muktsar 2024 farmers Malout & Sahib & demand, COS Dabwali Sirsa Bypasses 10 6 lane Amritsar- 61.87 202 Bathinda 65.00 15.06. 16.08.2026 LA issues, non- Nil - Bathinda from 9.17 2026 reimbursement Km 89 to 155 of of pond ash NH-754A (Pkg- transportation III) HAM cost by State TPPs, Local farmers demand, COS 11 4 Laning of 44.96 140 Fazilka 55.00 12.04. 30.11.2026 LA issues, Local Nil - Abohar to 9.88 2026 farmers Fazilka section demand, COS of NH-07 12 4/6 lane 43.26 110 SAS Nagar 76.34 15.02. 31.05.2026 Flood in 2023, Nil - Ludhiana 7 & 2025 Restriction on Roopnagar Roopnagar mining by Greenfield NH Hon'ble 205K (Pkg-III) Supreme Court, Land Acquisition & Farmers Protest 13 Sirhind-Mohali 27.37 679 SAS Nagar 76.00 07.05. 30.06.2026 Delay in Nil - NH-205 AG & 2025 approval from Fatehgarh railway and Sahib Irrigation (Syl Canal), COS, Local Demands Land Acquisition, and farmer protest 14 Ambala 30.83 164 SAS Nagar 80.01 11.10. 30.06.2026 Farmer Protest, Nil - Chandigarh 2 & Patiala 2025 Land greenfield Acquisition , (HAM) COS -2-15 6 lane Amritsar- 39 122 Jalandhar, 64.31 13.11. 30.06.2027 LA issues, Local - Bathinda Km 9.38 Kapurthala 2024 farmers 0.00 to 39.00 and Moga demand, COS (Pkg-I) 16 4/6 lane 46.5 216 Jalandhar 41.64 14.01. 30.06.2027 LA issues, Local Nil - Jalandhar 7.09 and 2025 farmers Bypass Kapurthala demand, COS 17 6 lane Amritsar- 54 180 Moga and 63.06 26.06. 31.12.2026 NA Nil - Bathinda Km 1.37 Bathinda 2026 39.00 to 93.00 (pkg-II) 18 Hoshiarpur-Una 27.92 571. Hoshiarpur 10.27 20.05. 20.05.2027 NA Nil - (2L+PS) length 34 2027 (incl Hoshiyarpur bypass) NH- 503A 19 4/6 lane 37.7 136 Ludhiana 2.00 10.12. 11.10.2027 Contractor has Nil - Ludhiana 8.91 2024 stopped the Roopnager work due to (Pkg-I) non-availability of land. With the land issues being addressed, the Concessionaire has demanded transportation charges for pond ash by NHAI and intervention by NHAI for according permission from State Government for desilting of Satluj river. 20 Ludhiana 30.3 906. Bathinda, 78.50 13.09. 07.03.2026 LA issues Nil - Bathinda from 51 Barnala 2025 Km. 0.00 to Km. 30.300 (Pkg-I) 21 4-lane 48.62 119 Hoshiarpur 9.33 30.03. 31.03.2027 Nil Nil - Phagwara 6.38 , 2027 Hoshiarpur NH- Kapurthala 344B , Jalandhar, SBS Nagar -3-22 Ludhiana 45.24 155 Ludhiana, 10.09 29.09. 29.09.2027 Nil Nil - Bathinda from 5.13 Barnala 2027 Km. 30.300 to Km. 75.543 (pkg-II) 23 DAKExpresswa 36.94 175 Malerkotla 95.02 09.07. 25.03.2026 LA issues, non- Nil EOT y (Phase-I Pkg- 9.82 & Sangrur 2024 reimbursement approved VII) of pond ash upto transportation 25.03.2026 cost by State TPPs, Local farmers demand, COS 24 DAK 35.09 189 Malerkotla 31.08 13.03. Project is LA issues, non- Nil - Expressway 5.74 & Ludhiana 2025 under reimbursement (Phase-I Pkg- Foreclosure/ of pond ash VIII) Termination transportation cost by State TPPs 25 DAK 43.04 185 Ludhiana & 69.07 16.07. 30.06.2026 LA issues, Non- Nil EOT Expressway 1.47 Jalandhar 2024 reimbursement approved (Phase-I Pkg- of pond ash upto IX) transportation 30.06.2026 cost by State TPPs 26 DAK 39.5 217 Jalandhar 62.99 09.07. Project is LA issues, non- Nil - Expressway 7.54 2024 under reimbursement (Phase-I Pkg-X) Foreclosure/ of pond ash Termination transportation cost by State TPPs 27 DAK 43.02 217 Jalandhar, 43.45 14.11. Project is LA issues, non- Nil - Expressway 5.35 Kapurthala 2024 under reimbursement (Phase-I Pkg- & Foreclosure/ of pond ash XI) Gurdaspur Termination transportation cost by State TPPs 28 DAK 35.28 173 Gurdaspur 25.62 20.02. 20.02.2027 NA Nil - Expressway 4.18 2027 (Phase-I Pkg- XII) 29 Delhi Katra 12.35 666. Pathankot 14.92 15.07. 15.07.2027 NA Nil - Expressway- 81 2027 Pathankot link road -4-30 Up-gradation to 63.27 263. Ferozepur, 78 15.04. 15.04.2026 • A Delay has NIL two lane with 19 Faridkot, 2025 occurred in the paved shoulder Muktsar handover of toll configuration of plaza land by NH-354 Section the office of Arifkes- CALA-Cum Ferozepur- SDM, Sri Muktsar-Malaut Muktsar Sahib from Km .(Resolved) 201.500 to Km • Delay in 212.500 & Km obtaining the 229.690 to Km NOC and GAD 269.960 and approval for strengthening of MNBs and existing Culverts from pavement from the Water Km 212.500 to Resources Km 229.690 Department.(Re (excluding Km solved) 218.500 to • Delay in 223.690) of NH- Receiving utility 354 on EPC shifting Mode in the Estimates from State of Punjab. concerned utility (Job No. NH- owning 354-PB-2020- Departments.(R 21-532) esolved) 31 Work sanction 0.01 38.0 Fazilka 05- 31.08. 28.02.2026 • Delay in NIL for Construction 2 Apr-00 2024 approval of of 2 lane ROB launching at Railway scheme by Crossing No. C- Railway 28A on Abohar- Authority.(Resol Fazlika Rail ved) section at Km • Delay in 39/3-4 & on NH- getting 07 at Km encroached 12.560 on land from 52nd Fazlika Border Battalion BSF, in the State of Fazilka Punjab on EPC (Resolved) mode.(Job No. NH-07-PB- 2021-22-549) -5-32 Work of 27.66 152. Sri Muktsar 96 15.04. 28.02.2026 All works except NIL Widening/upgra 58 Sahib 2025 Toll Plaza has dation of 2-Lane been with paved completed. The shoulder of Sri construction of Muktsar Sahib Toll Plaza to Malout road delayed due to from Km non availability 279.400 to Km of encumbrance 307.060 section free site to the of NH-354 in agency by the State of SDM-cum- Punjab on EPC CALA, Malout. mode. (Job No. Now, all issues NH-354-PB- have been 2021-22-555) resolved and work of Toll Plaza is under progress. 33 Construction of 0.01 87.5 Jalandhar 38 20.12. 31.12.2026 • Demand of NIL 2 lanes ROB 1 2025 local public to over L.C.NO. S- convert RC wall 53/T-2 atCH. into viaduct. 50+665 of NH- • Revision of 703A GAD by (Jalandhar - railways to Kapurthala - incorporate SV Sultanpur Lodhi loading and - Makhu) in the cogestion State of Punjab factor. on EPC mode. (Job No. NH- 703A-PB-2021- 22-556) 34 Construction of 0.01 43.4 Ferozepur 44 07.01. 31.12.2026 Revision of NIL Rail Over 4 2026 GAD by Bridge in lieu of railways to Railway incorporate SV Crossing no.E/2 loading and on Ferozepur- cogestion Fazlika Rail factor. 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) -6-35 Four Laning 7.25 52.9 Jalandhar 30- 07.06. 30.04.2026 Majority of the NIL with paved 9 Mar- 2025 work has been shoulders from 00 completed Km 29.00 to Km except BC in 36.25 section of 0.85 Km reach Jalandhar (Four lane Kapurthala portion). BC Sultanpur Lodhi work is stopped Lohian Makhu due to winter Road, NH- season. BC 703A, (7.25 work will Km) in the State resume in of Punjab March 2026 36 Rehabilitation 13.2 94.6 Moga 45 20.02. 31.12.2026 Due to land NIL and Up- 2026 hindrance. gradation to 2 Lane with paved shoulders of Patto Jawahar Singh Wala to Dina village Kangar road section of NH- 254 Design Chainage from Km 38+000 to Km 51+200 in the State of Punjab (Package– III). 37 Development to 21 546. Bathinda 30 05.11. 05.11.2026 No delay NIL 4-lane with 67 2026 paved shoulder for the road section Talwandi Sabo- Raman road to refinery Road junction with Bathinda Dabwali Road of NH-254 from existing Km 131.600 to Km 155.650 (Design Km 131+600 to km 155+600) in the State of Punjab. (Job No: NH- 254-PB-2022- 23-565 -7-ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 ASKED BY DR. SANDEEP KUMAR PATHAK REGARDING PROGRESS OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN PUNJAB District wise and Project wise status of remaining Sanctioned/Awarded NH projects in the State of Punjab: Sl Name of the Project Length TPC (Rs Districts from Expected Remarks no (in Km) in Cr) which Project is Completion from passing Appointed date (in months) 1 Zirakpur Bypass 19.5 1878.67 SAS Nagar 24 At tender stage Panchkula 2 Construction of 4L+PS Sri Muktsar 19.306 440.97 Ferozepur 24 At tender stage Sahib bypass from existing Km. 269.960 of NH-354 to existing km 39.280 of NH-754 in the State of Punjab. 3 Widening and upgradation of road 1.22 7.28 Sangrur 3 At tender stage from 2 lane with paved shoulder to 4 lane with paved shoulder for rectification of blackspot ID PB 03 189 of series 2017 19 at Km 159 550 Pakho Kalan on NH 703 in the State of Punjab 4 "Construction of VUP for rectification 1.3 28.64 Sangrur 18 At tender stage of blackspot (ID:PB-03-164 of series 2017-19) at km 287.710 (Grain Market Bhikhi) on NH 148B in the State of Punjab 5 Widening and upgardation of road 1 6.49 Sangrur 3 At tender stage from 2Lane with PS to 4-lane PS for rectification of blackspot ID No. PB- (03)-186 at location Km 154/310 (Rure ka kalan) on Nh-703 in the State of Punjab on EPC mode 6 "Construction of VUP for rectification 1.6 25.74 Bathinda 18 At tender stage of blackspot (ID: PB-03-256 of series 2017-19) atlocation Km 4+100 near village Deon on NH-754 in the State of Punjab 7 Construction of VUP for rectification 1.67 42.57 Bathinda 18 At tender stage of blackspots (ID: PB-03-261 of series 2017-19) at location at Km 317+880 (Ramnagar Chowk) on NH- 148B in the State of Punjab 8 Widening and strengthening of NH 8.06 35.62 Sangrur 9 At tender stage 148B from Km 226.370 to Km 234.900 i.e. from Tohana (Haryana Border) to Moonak Jakhal excluding stretch from Km 233.830 to Km 234.300 On EPC mode in the State of Punjab -8-9 Widening and Upgradation from 2 3.75 29.97 Abohar 12 At tender stage lanes with paved shoulder to four lane in Km 17.600 to 21.350 of NH 07 Section Sulemanki Border-Fazilka on EPC mode in the State of Punjab 10 Development of 6-lane Greenfield 25.24 1424.55 Ludhiana 24 Terminated and re- Southern Ludhiana Bypass from awarded again on intersection with NH-44 near Village 13.03.2025. Rajgarh to intersection with Delhi Katra Expressway (NE-5) near Village Ballowal, km 0+000 to km 25+240 11 Development of 4L Northern Patiala 28.9 934.85 Patiala 24 - Bypass 12 Construction of VUP for rectification 3.66 78.38 Bathinda 18 LOA has been issued of blackspots at location Km on 11.11.2025. 299+520 (Mansa Kenchian Chowk) Agreement has been (ID: PB-03-170 of series 2017-19) signed on 20.12.2025. and Km 304+520 (Bhaini Bagha Chowk) (ID:PB-03-173 of series 2017-19) on NH-148B in the State of Punjab 13 Construction of VUP for rectification 1.685 27.48 Bathinda 18 LOA has been issued of blackspots (ID: PB-03-258 of on 11.11.2025. series 2017-19) at location at Km Agreement has been 340+260 (Kotshamir village) on NH- signed on 20.12.2025. 148B in the State of Punjab 14 Construction of VUP for rectification 1.475 27.51 Bathinda 18 LOA has been issued of blackspots (ID: PB-03-162 of on 11.11.2025. series 2017-19) at location at Km Agreement has been 190.050 (Ramditta Chowk) on NH- signed on 20.12.2025. 703 in the State of Punjab 15 Strengthening of stretches of NH- 65.45 89 Bathinda 9 LOA has been issued 148B (Km 234.900 to Km 244.750 on 01.01.2026. and Km 287.710 to Km 349.640) and NH-703 (Km 182.750 to Km 189.240) in the State of Punjab -9-ANNEXURE-III ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 ASKED BY DR. SANDEEP KUMAR PATHAK REGARDING PROGRESS OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN PUNJAB Details of stalled projects in the State of Punjab: Sl Name of the Date of Scheduled Target Date from Reasons for Stalling of Project no Project Commence Completio Completio when the ment n date n Date project is stalled 1 4/6 lane 12.12.2022 10.12.2024 11.10.2027 18.04.2024 Contractor has stopped the work due to non- Ludhiana availability of land. With the land issues being Roopnager (Pkg- addressed, the Concessionaire has demanded I) transportation charges for pond ash and intervention by NHAI for according permission from State Government for desilting of Sutlej river. 2 DAK 15.03.2023 13.03.2025 Project is 19.08.2024 LA issues, non-reimbursement of pond ash Expressway under transportation cost by State TPPs (Phase-I Pkg- Foreclosur VIII) e/Terminati on 3 DAK 11.07.2022 09.07.2024 Project is 01.04.2025 LA issues, non-reimbursement of pond ash Expressway under transportation cost by State TPPs (Phase-I Pkg-X) Foreclosur e/Terminati on 4 DAK 15.11.2022 14.11.2024 Project is 19.08.2024 LA issues, non-reimbursement of pond ash Expressway under transportation cost by State TPPs (Phase-I Pkg-XI) Foreclosur e/Terminati on ***** -10-