Lok Sabha Question No. 3984 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Ludhiana-Bathinda Highway
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3984 ANSWERED ON 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## LUDHIANA-BATHINDA HIGHWAY

## 3984.         SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state: (a)     whether the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) proposes to withdraw the letter of approval for the Ludhiana-Bathinda Highway Project in Punjab and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (b)      whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  NHAI  to  complete  the Ludhiana-Bathinda Highway Project since 2022, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c)      whether  any  deadline/target  date  was  set  by  the  Government  for  the completion of the Project and if so, the details thereof; (d)      whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessments  on  the financial  impact  and  losses  incurred  due  to  delays  in  the  Ludhiana-Bathinda Highway Project, if so, the details of estimated financial implications and the steps being taken to mitigate further delays; (e)     the challenges identified by the Government affecting the progress of the project; (f)      the measures being implemented to ensure timely completion; and (g)     whether the Government plans on doing third-party audits to evaluate the quality  of  work  and  adherence  to  timelines  for  the  project,  if  so,  the  details

- thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)      Ludhiana-Bathinda  section  is  being  implemented  in  the  following  three packages:
- (i) Package-I (30.300 km): Under construction since 14.09.2023.
- (ii) Package-II  (45.243  km):  Project  Awarded  on  09.11.2021;  Concession Agreement yet to be signed. The Letter of Award (LOA) for Ludhiana-Bathinda (Package-II) was earlier under consideration for withdrawal in view of delay in handing  over  of  possession  of  land  by  the  State  Government  of  Punjab. However, with the recent handover of possession of about 92% of land by the State Government, the proposal for withdrawal of LOA has been kept on hold.
- (iii) Southern Ludhiana Bypass (25.24 km): The project was earlier awarded on 02.06.2022. However, LOA was withdrawn in January, 2024 due to the nonavailability of land. Now, considering availability of land, fresh bids are being invited for award.
- (b) and (c) Regular meetings with District Administration and Chief Secretary, Government  of  Punjab  regarding  possession  of  land  from  farmers  and  land owners  are  conducted  for  its  follow  up  and  close  monitoring.  The  present status  of  possession  of  land  in  Ludhiana-Bathinda  project  and  status  of completion is as under:

| Package    | Project Length   | Length in possession   | Possession Appointed   |            | Likely completion date   |
|------------|------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------|--------------------------|
|            |                  |                        | (in %)                 | Date       |                          |
|            | (in km)          | (in km)                |                        |            |                          |
| Package-I  |                  |                        |                        |            |                          |
|            | 30.3             | 30.3                   | 100 %                  | 14.09.2023 | 22.04.2026               |
| Package-II | 45.24            | 41.64                  | 92.04 %                | Yet to     | be 730 days from         |
|            |                  |                        |                        | declared   | Appointed date           |
| Southern   |                  |                        |                        |            | Bids invited. 730        |
| Ludhiana   | 25.24            | 21.69                  | 88.09%                 | NA         | days from Appointed date |
| Bypass     |                  |                        |                        |            |                          |

(d)     Due to delays, there may be cost escalation that will be known only after completion  of  the  corridor.  Efforts  are  being  made  to  minimise  any  further delays  and  various  steps,  including  enhanced  project  management,  timely resource allocation, and coordination with contractors, are being undertaken to expedite the completion of the highway. (e)  and  (f)  Due  to  demand  of  higher  compensation  of  land  acquisition  by farmers,  there  have  been  significant  delays  in  handing  over  of  land  by  the State Government. Efforts are being made for possession of balance land. (g)       The  National  Highways  are  constructed  as  per  quality  standards specified  in  IRC  specifications.  Quality  control  tests  are  conducted  by  the Contractor/ Concessionaire/ Authority Engineer/ Independent Engineer/ Officers of  implementing  agencies  at  the  specified  frequencies.  Further,  external

technical audit is also conducted as per requirement.

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