The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans infrastructure development activities worth Rs 1,417 crore in Punjab for the current financial year. Officials told the media about the construction and said that the yearly plan would cover a 295 km network of national highways. As per the official statement given to the state authorities on June 2, NHAI has offered to fund four-laning of national highways, land purchases, development of bypasses and bridges, stated the officials. The yearly development plan has no spending terms under financial heads of road safety and environment. Of the total fund of Rs 1,417 crore, Rs 461 crore will be used on the widening of national highways. The south Malwa region will receive a major share of Rs 740 crore. A budget of Rs 142.23 crore is allocated for land procurement and preconstruction activities of NH-254 (that links Punjab with Haryana) from Kangar village to Rampura Phul in Bathinda district, stated the officials. Also, Rs 140 crore will be used on widening and two-laning of 29km of NH-354 from Muktsar bypass to Malout. Another Rs 88.77 crore will be used on the widening of the Patto-Kangar region of 13.2km. The NHAI will allocate Rs 64 crore on the strengthening of 48km of the Bathinda-Muktsar highway. The construction of four railway overbridge (ROBs) will be undertaken by the central agency, with an investment of Rs 166 crore at Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Jalandhar districts, said officials. A 35km stretch of underdeveloped districts of Mansa and Barnala will receive Rs 85 crore for strengthening of NH-703. A sum of Rs 170 crore is intended for the four-laning of the Jawahar Singh Wala-Rampura section and another Rs 100 crore for the four-laning of Tarn Taran-Kapurthala NH-703 AA, stated the officials. The NHAI has saved Rs 150 crore for land procurement and pre-construction for a bypass and realignment of Dadwindi village near Sultanpur Lodhi. The officials said, for the preconstruction works on the 40 km range joining Pathankot with Himachal Pradesh, the NHAI has allocated Rs 89 crore. Concerning the plan for the four-lane road of 5.5 km from Adampur airport to NH in Jalandhar, the Punjab public works department (PWD) has assigned a Rs 40 crore proposal to the state government. Officials stated that the department will shortly float bids for the project. Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) has also thought of moving the poles and power lines from the roadside. Image Source Also read: Govt investing Rs 7 lakh cr to develop green highways: Nitin Gadkari Also read: Govt allots funds for national highway development in Telangana