Punjab urban infrastructure snippets

The Punjab state government has hired the services of international companies to plan the development of major cities of the state, including Ludhiana.This was stated by the SAD President Sukhbir Badal after inaugurating an Rs 400-crore integrated township on the Ferozepur Road.He said the development projects costing Rs 2,000 crore were being launched in Ludhiana, including an Expressway on both sides of the Sidhwan Canal, five flyovers, adequate sewerage, water supply and road system.He said development projects costing over Rs 8,000 crore have been planned for Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala. “A land scaping company from Malaysia has been engaged for Amritsar, a USA-based company will work for Ludhiana while the services of an Australian firm have been roped in for Jalandhar. Sukhbir said Punjab has a good infrastructure which has enthused confidence among investors. He said that 45 per cent increase in the income of the farm sector has been recorded in the current year.
He added that in spite of global recession, the revenue collection from the stamp duty witnessed 20 per cent increase in the district.Talking about power crunch in the state, the SAD president said, “Four power projects having a total capacity of 6,600 MW will be started by January next year. Of these, the work on power projects at Talwandi Sabo and Gowindwal Sahib has already been started.Badal said that international airports at Amritsar and Mohali will be made operational soon. “Three domestic airports will also come up at Sahnewal, Bathinda and Pathankot.The SAD president further added that the government had also accorded priority to develop an excellent road network in the country under which two independent Expressways are being constructed from Mohali to Jalandhar and from Pathankot to Ajmer. “The Pathankot-Ajmer expressway will shorten the distance between Jalandhar and Bombay by 300 kms. The process of land acquisition has been started.” He added that all the main roads in the state are being developed as six lanes and four lanes to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.