Of the 399 kilometers of road being constructed in Punjab as part of the Delhi-Katra Expressway project, 38 kilometers pass through Ludhiana, affecting 24 villages. Currently, work is progressing on approximately 19 kilometers across 11 villages. However, construction on the remaining 18.89 kilometers in 13 villages has been stalled.
Around 300 to 400 farmers are demanding higher compensation for their land. The competent authority for land acquisition has set a rate of approximately ?45 lakh per acre, while farmers are seeking between ?65 lakh and ?70 lakh per acre. This discrepancy has led to arbitration, with the possibility of the matter escalating to court if an agreement is not reached.
Construction on the expressway in Ludhiana began in 2022, following a survey conducted in 2020. As of now, 30% of the work between Malerkotla and Ludhiana (Package 8) and 57% of the work between Ludhiana and Phillaur (Package 9) have been completed. Meanwhile, 96% of Package 6 (Sangrur to Patiala) and 75% of Package 7 (Sangrur to Malerkotla) are nearing completion, according to Prashant Mahajan, Project Director of the Delhi-Katra Expressway Project.
Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney stated that the administration had acquired the land and handed it over to NHAI, but the authority failed to retain it. She assured that efforts were ongoing to resolve the compensation disputes through engagement with the protesting farmers.
Gurpreet Singh, block president of BKU Ekta Ugrahan, argued that the compensation offered was far below market rates and urged the government to offer fair compensation, as the completed expressway would generate revenue through toll charges.
Meanwhile, local residents are eager for the project to be completed swiftly, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure in the region.
