Punjab to Get Dedicated Jail Department Headquarters in SAS Nagar; Foundation Stone Laid by Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar
Rs 35 Crore ‘Jail Bhawan’ Project to Be Completed by December 2026
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 20, 2025 –
In a significant step towards modernizing prison administration, Punjab Jail Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Friday laid the foundation stone of the state’s first dedicated head office of the Jail Department, to be known as ‘Jail Bhawan’, in Sector 68, SAS Nagar (Mohali).
The project, with an estimated cost of ₹35 crore, is scheduled for completion by April 2027, though the contractor has been directed to finish the work by December 2026. The move comes as part of the government’s broader plan to reform and strengthen prison infrastructure under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Bhullar said that the Jail Bhawan will serve as the central administrative hub of the department, allowing for streamlined decision-making, adoption of modern technology, and implementation of uniform policies. He noted that the new building will significantly enhance the department’s operational efficiency.
The upcoming facility will be spread over a one-acre plot with a total covered area of approximately 83,947 square feet. It will include a basement and five floors, equipped with modern amenities such as escalators, elevators, central air conditioning, a fire safety system, solar power generation, an STP system, and a LAN network. The building will also offer parking space for up to 115 vehicles.
The minister added that the construction of the Jail Bhawan will eliminate the need for rented office space, saving the government approximately ₹84 lakh annually in rent. The contract for the project has been awarded to ASC Builder.
Also present at the foundation stone ceremony were Principal Secretary (Jails) Bhawna Garg, Additional Director General of Police (Jails) Arun Pal Singh, Chief Engineer of the Punjab Police Housing Corporation Ranjodh Singh, and other senior officials from the Jail Department.
Minister Bhullar reiterated that the government is committed to bringing systemic improvements to the jail administration and this project marks a key milestone in that journey.