Massive Setback for Punjab: ₹800 Crore Projects Abruptly Cancelled Over Shocking Reason

Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): In a significant blow to Punjab’s infrastructure development plans, the central government has cancelled road and bridge projects worth over ₹800 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III. The decision comes after the state government allegedly failed to issue tenders on time and delayed the commencement of construction work.

The cancellation adds to the troubles of the financially struggling Punjab government, which is already grappling with the Centre’s withholding of more than ₹7,000 crore in Rural Development Fund (RDF) — critical for repairing rural roads and other infrastructure.

The now-scrapped projects included the upgradation of 64 roads covering a total length of 628.48 km and the construction of 38 bridges, each over 15 metres long. Together, these projects were valued at ₹828.87 crore and were required to begin by March 31.

According to the Punjab Public Works Department (PWD), 59 of the projects were to be completed using the specialised ‘Full Depth Reclamation’ (FDR) technique. However, a shortage of expert firms led to repeated delays in the tendering process, with the final contractor selection made only on May 29 after four attempts. Another set of projects approved in March 2025 — comprising four roads and 35 bridges — is still at the tendering stage and was expected to begin this month.

The PWD has written to the Union Ministry of Rural Development expressing concern that cancelling the projects just as work was about to commence could spark public anger, especially in border districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Tarn Taran, where urgent repairs had been recommended by local MPs.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also written to the Union Minister, urging a review of the decision, stressing that “38 bridges are to be built on roads already completed under PMGSY-III, and without them, these roads will be rendered useless.”