Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has warned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of potential cancellations of eight major highway projects worth ₹14,288 crore due to worsening law and order in the state. Gadkari’s warning follows reports of assaults and intimidation of workers on the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project in Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
Gadkari criticized the Punjab government for insufficient action and called for immediate measures, including filing FIRs and taking action against those responsible. Previously, NHAI had already terminated projects worth ₹3,263 crore due to land acquisition delays.
Punjab’s IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill confirmed that an FIR has been filed and a Special Investigation Team is investigating the incidents. He assured that law and order is under control and security will be increased if necessary.
AAP Minister Harpal Singh Cheema dismissed Gadkari’s remarks as a “well-planned strategy” and maintained that Punjab’s law and order situation is improving and the state is attracting new industries.
