Construction begins for Ludhiana-Bathinda highway six-lane project

Ludhiana-Bathinda National highway project

The work has begun on the 75.543-km-long national highway 754-AD to make it a six-lane Highway. The project cost is ₹1,716.17 crore and is expected to make the drive from Ludhiana to Bathinda smoother and faster.

The part of Ludhiana-Ajmer economic corridor (EC-8) will be completed in 24 months under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I. Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan reviewed the progress of the greenfield project and instructed the officials to expedite the present pace for ensuring its completion within the stipulated time frame. The new Ludhiana-Bathinda expressway will pass through 36 villages in three districts of Ludhiana under Ludhiana and Rajkot tehsils, Barnala under Barnala and Tapa tehsils, and Rampura Phul tehsil in Bathinda.

Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma informed that the acquisition of 525.19 hectares of land is in the advanced stage of completion and the pending award for 17 villages will be announced by August 15. The widening and strengthening of the highway is being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in two parts under the hybrid annuity model (HAM) model. The first component of the NH-754-AD will comprise 30.3 km, while the second part will run into a 45.243-km stretch.