Fast-track road projects: Amarinder to Gadkari

Chandigarh: The Congress-ruled Punjab government want the infrastructure development projects in the state to be "fast-tracked" by the Union Road, Transport and Highways Ministry in light of 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has written to Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, urging him to fast-track road infrastructure development projects in the state, an official release said here on Friday.

The chief minister has sought the minister's personal intervention particularly in expediting the Kartarpur Corridor project, given its historic and religious importance.

He urged the minister to declare Beas-Batala-Dera Baba Nanak Road as national highway and also to upgrade it to a four-lane road in view of the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations.

He has requested for additional allocation of Rs 150 crore under Central Road Fund (CRF) scheme for upgrading the road network in the historic towns of Sultanpur Lodhi, Batala, Dera Baba Nanak and Gurdaspur.

The chief minister has also sought the Union ministry's expeditious approval for four-laning of Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi-Lohian Road (NH-703A).

In his letter, Singh has also impressed upon Gadkari to declare Tarn Taran-Goindwal Sahib-Kapurthala Road as national highway, besides upgrading it to a four-lane road, the release said.