1 week Ago By Shariq Majeed
Ludhiana: Slow progress, land disputes, and farming on acquired plots in this district threaten to derail the Sept target for the Delhi-Katra Expressway , a key highway project aimed at slashing travel time between Delhi, this industrial centre, and cities across northern India. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently wrote to the local administration, citing continuous land acquisition hindrances over a 7.6-km stretch.
Authorities warned that at the current pace, it is unlikely the expressway will reach Ludhiana by the target date of September. An NHAI official claims that even though the project is intended to boost regional connectivity, progress remains "negligible" in parts of Ludhiana. The agency has sought urgent administrative support to overcome the bottlenecks.
Progress Report Highlights Major Delays Under Package Eight of the expressway project, about 22 km fall within Ludhiana district and the remainder within Malerkotla. The latest status report shows physical work stuck at 31.08% for several months, with financial progress reaching only 28.
06%. The segment runs from Chappar village to the Mullanpur area. The completion date for Package Eight has been extended to June 30, 2026, the report said.
Similarly, Package Nine, covering 43.04 km — 16 km of which are in Ludhiana and the rest in Jalandhar district — has seen 57.90% physical progress and 53.
30% financial progress. Its completion date, initially set for March 31, 2026, has been advanced to Dec 31, 2025. NHAI Flags Land Acquisition Problems Accessed by The Times of India, a letter from the NHAI project director of the Ludhiana implementation unit to the Ludhiana West subdivisional magistrate (SDM), competent authority for land acquisition (CALA), lists areas where engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors face continuous disruption.
"These challenges are affecting the progress of the project significantly, in securing land for Packages Eight and Nine particularly," the letter reads. "Despite repeated reminders that the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is a flagship project monitored by the Prime Minister's Office, obstructions at various sites are preventing continuous work." The letter urges immediate administrative and police support to clear hindered areas and ensure timely completion.
The worst-affected village is Gujjarwal, with two blocked segments measuring 2,370 m and 810 m, respectively. Ballowal faces hindrances over stretches of 1,070 m and 810 m. Civil Authorities Respond Ludhiana deputy commissioner Hinanshu Jain said the district administration was providing the NHAI with all possible support.
Asked about the nature of the hindrances, an NHAI official explained that in more than 90% of cases, compensation for land acquisition has been disbursed. Delays persist mainly in cases involving absentee landowners or family disputes. However, the official noted that many landowners continue farming on acquired land, making it difficult to start construction without police assistance.
Because the EPC contractor can work only in isolated patches rather than continuous stretches, construction costs are rising and work efficiency is dropping. Locals Eager for Faster Completion Many Ludhiana residents have urged authorities concerned to expedite the project. "Expressways like Delhi-Katra should be finished quickly," said Surinder Sharma, a city resident.
"This will not only save travel time and fuel but also benefit businesspeople, traders, and professionals." MSID:: 120665271 413 |.
