Rs 2,140 cr for development projects in Jalandhar, Shahkot

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced Rs 2,140 crore development projects for Jalandhar and Shahkot, as a “gesture of gratitude” to the people for ensuring the Congress candidate’s landslide victory in the Shahkot bypoll, which he said had laid the foundation for an anti-Modi wave across the country.

Capt Amarinder, addressing a thanksgiving rally, said that the Congress was indebted to the voters of the Shahkot assembly segment, who had ensured a sweeping victory for the party’s candidate, Hardev Singh Laddi, to secure two-third majority for the party in Punjab Assembly.

On the occasion, Capt Amarinder also announced June 28, 2018, as a gazetted holiday in the state on Sant Kabir jayanti.

The Chief Minister complimented the Congress workers and leaders for making concerted efforts to ensure the party’s victory, pointing out that it was for the first time in 52 years that such a huge victory margin had been reported on the seat.

“It is now the duty of the State Government to work more zealously for the all-round development of the state, besides fulfilling each and every promise made to the people of Shahkot in the run-up to the by-poll,” he said.

The Chief Minister announced a slew of infrastructure and other development projects, and asked MLAs Rana Gurjit Singh and Hardev Singh Laddi to submit a detailed proposal of projects for Shahkot so that the funds, as needed, could be released at the earliest.

While work on four-laning of Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur up to Himachal border (NH-70) had already started at a total cost of Rs 1,069 crore, another Rs 1,000 crore had been allocated for four-laning of Jalandhar bye-pass linking NH-70 and NH-71 from Jandhu Singha to Pratappura via Jamsher, said the Chief Minister, adding that the detailed project report (DPR) for the latter was under preparation by NHAI and work on it would start this year.

Other infrastructural development projects announced included construction of ROB on Chougeti-Ladhewali Road (Rs 35 crore), with tenders having been called for appointment of a Technical Consultant, besides widening and strengthening of Jalandhar-Jandiala-Nurmahal-Talwan Road (Rs 17 crore), on which work had commenced.

The Chief Minister assured the people that funds would not be allowed to hamper the development of Shahkot, which had witnessed no progress under the Akali regime. The projects announced today were just the beginning of the advancement of the region and its people, he added.

Underlining his government’s commitment to strengthening school infrastructure in Shahkot, the Chief Minister announced allocation of Rs seven crore for establishment of three Smart Schools and 32 Digital Class Rooms. He also announced an equal amount for free medicines and free lab tests  as a step towards strengthening the health infrastructure in the region.

Rs 25 lakh had also been sanctioned for strengthening of Primary Health Centre Mehatpur for providing Maternal and Child Health services, he announced.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to providing safe drinking water to the people, Capt Amarinder Singh announced bifurcation of existing water supply schemes to provide separate water supply schemes for various villages.

Lok Sabha MP from Jalandhar Chaudhary Santokh Singh sought special attention for the Doaba region while expressing hope that under the  leadership of Capt Amarinder, Punjab would emerge as the country’s foremost state.

Former Minister and MLA Rana Gurjit Singh sought a special package for the Doaba region, urging the Chief Minister to get the Bist Doab canal concrete lining project worth Rs 150 crore completed to facilitate the farming community, and to save the depleting ground water.

Rana Gurjit also demanded setting up of a Medical College in the Doaba region to impart quality health services to the people.

Earlier, MLA Hardev Singh Laddi assured the Chief Minister that he would make all-out efforts for the development of the constituency and the welfare of people. He demanded setting up of a potato processing unit near Malsian to boost the interests of the potato farmers.