Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced an outlay of about Rs 35 billion to restore 19,000 kilometres of rural link roads across the state. Although no start date was given, the initiative aims to ease travel in farming areas and bolster economic activity.

Speaking at Guru Nanak Dev University, Mann criticised the Union Government for allegedly withholding Rs 60 billion from the Rural Development Fund (RDF)—money he said could have rebuilt every rural road. The RDF, a cess on procurement of farm produce for the Centre, finances rural roadworks.

Mann highlighted cost saving measures already in place, noting that the closure of 17 toll plazas now saves commuters roughly Rs 6.4 million each day. He added that the share of canal water used for irrigation has risen from 21 per cent in 2022 to 75 per cent today.

Road safety efforts have also progressed: fatalities have fallen by 48 per cent since the creation of the 1,597 strong Sadak Surakhya Force, which patrols the highways in 144 modern vehicles.

Turning to law enforcement, Mann made a veiled reference to recently arrested Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, accused of laundering Rs 5.4 billion in drug proceeds. The Chief Minister said the “commanders” of the drug trade were “already behind bars” and promised further action, including confiscation and demolition of smugglers’ properties.

In Amritsar, Mann opened a new public library at the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama and outlined local investments totalling about Rs 3.5 billion. These include Rs 563.6 million for new roads, Rs 2.87 billion for road upgrades and Rs 32 million for six new libraries.