Punjab CM announces record Rs 16,209 crore road upgrade: Panchayats empowered to check quality
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, November 29, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the media today, unveiling the "largest road construction drive in Punjab's history." The state government has launched a massive infrastructure project worth Rs 16,209 crore to construct and repair 44,920 km of roads across the state.
Major Expansion of Road Network
CM Mann noted that while road conditions remain a major issue for every government, his administration is taking decisive action. He highlighted that an initial project worth Rs 4,092 crore for 19,373 km has now been significantly expanded.
The breakdown of the 44,920 km road network is as follows:
Mandi Board Roads: 22,291 km
Rural Roads: 18,545 km
PWD (Planned Roads): 2,829 km
Local Bodies (Urban) Roads: 1,255 km
Strict Quality Control: Panchayats to Decide
Emphasizing "no compromise on quality," the Chief Minister announced a new accountability mechanism involving local communities.
Panchayat Approval: A road will only be officially approved and cleared for payment after the village Panchayat passes a resolution stating they are satisfied with the quality of the work.
Flying Squad: A 'CM Flying Squad' has been formed to conduct surprise checks on road infrastructure.
Contractor Liability: Tenders have already been floated with strict conditions. Contractors are liable for the maintenance of the roads for five years. Mann warned that if quality is found lacking, tenders will be cancelled and strict action will be taken.
State Funding and Central Issues
CM Mann clarified that the entire project is being funded by the Punjab government's own exchequer, as the Centre has not released the Rural Development Fund (RDF). He also pointed out that the Rs 1,600 crore flood relief package, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for victims, has not yet been received.
Appeal to Transport Employees
Touching upon the issues of contractual and temporary employees of PRTC/PUNBUS, the CM appealed to them not to harass the general public.
Surprise Visit: Mann shared that he recently made a surprise visit to the Kurali bus stand, where he observed that no bus arrived for 30 minutes, causing significant distress to passengers.
Open for Dialogue: He urged the employees to come to the table to resolve their demands through dialogue rather than disrupting services, stating, "We will solve your demands, but do not inconvenience the people."