Over 30 National Highway Projects in Punjab Face Major Delays Due to Multiple Hurdles
Land acquisition challenges, persistent farmer protests, compliance bottlenecks, and disputes over construction materials have collectively delayed more than 30 national highway projects currently under construction across Punjab. According to data shared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, a total of 37 highway projects are actively ongoing in the state, with an additional 15 projects either sanctioned or awarded for future implementation.
Key Projects Missing Deadlines Amidst Unresolved Issues
Several major infrastructure initiatives have significantly overshot their original completion timelines, while four projects have come to a complete standstill due to unresolved complications. This critical information was disclosed by the ministry in response to a parliamentary question raised by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh, highlighting the widespread impact of these delays on Punjab's transportation network.
Among the most prominently affected projects is the four-laning of the Amritsar–Ghoman–Tanda–Una section of NH-503A, spanning 35.13 kilometers through Amritsar district. Although contractors have completed over 58% of the work, the project missed its scheduled completion date of September 17, 2023, and is now expected to be finished by June 30, 2026. Officials attributed this delay to persistent land acquisition issues, specific demands from local farmers, and changes in project scope during implementation.
Multiple Highways Face Similar Land-Related Challenges
Another crucial project experiencing substantial delays is the Amritsar (Airport Junction)–Ramdas stretch, covering nearly 39 kilometers. With 78% physical progress already achieved, this project was originally scheduled for completion in October 2024 but has now been pushed to March 31, 2026, due to similar land-related hurdles and local community demands.
The Delhi–Amritsar–Katra (DAK) Expressway Phase-I Spur III has emerged as one of the most severely affected projects. Stretching over 28 kilometers in Amritsar district, only about 29% of the work has been completed so far. Project authorities cited multiple reasons for the delay:
- Ongoing land acquisition problems
- Non-reimbursement of pond ash transportation costs by state thermal power plants
- Specific demands from local farming communities
- Changes in project scope during execution
The expected completion date has now been revised to November 30, 2026, representing a significant extension from original timelines.
Bypass Projects and Greenfield Highways Also Impacted
Delays have also impacted the Amritsar Bypass (Package III) project, a nearly 50-kilometer stretch designed to decongest the city. Although contractors have completed close to 79% of the work, unresolved land acquisition issues and disputes over pond ash transportation have pushed its completion to May 5, 2026.
The Sirhind–Mohali stretch of NH-205A, passing through Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, faced multiple roadblocks despite achieving over 76% progress. Project delays resulted from:
- Pending approvals from railway authorities
- Delays in clearance from the irrigation department
- Land acquisition complications
- Farmer protests and local community demands
The revised completion date is now June 30, 2026.
Another significant delay affected the Ambala–Chandigarh Greenfield Highway, which passes through Mohali and Patiala districts. Though more than 80% of the project is complete, farmer protests, land acquisition challenges, and changes in scope pushed the expected completion to June 30, 2026.
Four Projects Completely Stalled Due to Contractual Disputes
Beyond these delays, the ministry acknowledged that four national highway projects in Punjab are currently stalled entirely. These include:
- The 4/6-laning of the Ludhiana–Ropar road (Package I)
- Three packages of the DAK Expressway (Phase-I Packages VIII, X, and XI)
These projects were either stopped by contractors or placed under foreclosure or termination proceedings due to land acquisition problems and disputes over the non-reimbursement of pond ash transportation costs.
Pond Ash Transportation Cost Dispute Creates Major Impasse
The ministry specifically pointed out that due to the non-supply of pond ash free of cost and the non-reimbursement of transportation costs for projects initiated between January 25, 2016, and December 31, 2021, contractors and concessionaires became unwilling to continue with project implementation. Many stakeholders began staking claims for compensation, with some resorting to arbitration proceedings to resolve the financial disputes.
This pond ash issue has created a significant impasse in project execution, as construction companies argue that the additional transportation costs were not accounted for in original project estimates and contracts.
Government Initiatives to Address Delays and Expedite Progress
The ministry informed that the government is actively monitoring national highway projects through coordinated efforts with project implementing agencies, state governments, and contractors or developers. Periodic review meetings are being conducted regularly, and specific steps have been taken to improve the liquidity of funds available with contractors and developers to expedite progress.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to avoid or reduce future project delays, including:
- Streamlining land acquisition and environmental clearance processes
- Implementing online approval systems for general arrangement drawings (GADs) for railway road overbridges and underbridges
- Revamping the dispute resolution mechanism for faster conflict resolution
- Premium rescheduling options for concessionaires
- One-time fund infusion in critical projects
The ministry added that wherever delays or deficiencies are attributable to contractors or concessionaires, action against defaulting agencies is initiated according to contract or concession agreement provisions. Such actions include termination of contracts, levying of penalties or liquidated damages, debarment or blacklisting of companies, and declaring agencies as non-performers in official records.
These comprehensive measures aim to address both immediate challenges and systemic issues affecting highway construction across Punjab, though the extended timelines indicate significant work remains to complete these critical infrastructure projects.
