Chandigarh: Punjab’s ambitious ₹12,700 crore highway development programme is facing significant delays as land acquisition challenges and prolonged clearance processes slow progress on key infrastructure projects. The slowdown is impacting several ongoing and proposed road works under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Public Works Department (PWD) across multiple districts.
Officials say that acquiring land parcels from private owners has become a major bottleneck, with disputes over compensation and resistance from affected stakeholders stalling timelines. In addition, procedural delays in securing environmental and forest clearances, along with the relocation of utilities such as electricity poles, pipelines, and telecom lines, are further stretching project schedules.
The highway projects — aimed at expanding existing roads, building new corridors, and improving inter-district connectivity are considered critical for boosting Punjab’s road network, enhancing logistics efficiency, and strengthening links to major industrial and agricultural hubs.
Infrastructure experts warn that continued delays will not only escalate project costs but also slow the state’s economic growth and hamper trade movement.
Authorities have stressed the need for better coordination between state departments, local administrations, and implementing agencies to resolve bottlenecks and expedite work on these high-value road projects.
