Why Punjab is investing big in its rural roads 

November 17, 2025

The rural landscape of Punjab is set for one of its largest infrastructure overhauls in recent years. In Chabbal, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the state will repair and upgrade 19,491.56 kilometres of rural link roads at a cost of more than four thousand crore rupees. The plan, stretching across thousands of villages, marks a major push to rejuvenate internal connectivity that has for years remained strained by slow repairs, weather damage and chronic neglect.

For many residents in rural belts, link roads are lifelines. These narrow routes connect villages to markets, mandis, schools and health facilities. They carry the state’s agricultural produce, provide access for transport operators and serve as daily paths for workers and students. Their condition has direct consequences on farm incomes, safety and mobility. Mann described the decision as a “historic day for rural Punjab”, noting that the project would touch nearly every corner of the state.

Punjab has a total of 30,237 link roads, spread across 64,878 kilometres. A large share of these, 33,492 kilometres, fall under the Punjab Mandi Board, while the remaining 31,386 kilometres come under the Public Works Department. The new project focuses on 7,373 link roads that collectively span 19,491.56 kilometres. According to the government, the initiative includes both repair and upgrade, supported by a five year maintenance plan designed to prevent rapid deterioration.

The financial outline is substantial. The project cost of Rs 4,150.42 crore includes Rs 3,424.67 crore for the main repair and upgradation work, while Rs 725.75 crore has been earmarked for maintenance. The state has already completed the e tendering process. According to Mann, an Artificial Intelligence based survey was used during the planning stage. The government claims this survey helped remove inaccuracies, reassess actual ground conditions and eventually resulted in savings of Rs 383.53 crore.

A significant part of the planning involved a Road Infrastructure Development Meeting, described by the chief minister as the first of its kind. Officials of the Mandi Board, contractors and other stakeholders were brought together to discuss technical challenges, timelines and local requirements. Mann said all contractors were instructed that quality had to be prioritised. He added that strict compliance with maintenance obligations would be expected over the next five years.

One of the new features of the project is a dedicated road safety component. Punjab experiences long spells of dense fog in winter, especially in agrarian pockets where open fields and low temperatures combine to reduce visibility. Many link roads do not have clear boundaries or markings, which increases the risk of accidents. To address this, the state will implement a road safety programme worth Rs 91.83 crore on all upgraded and repaired link roads. A three inch wide white strip will be painted on both sides of each road to guide motorists during foggy or dark conditions. Officials believe this will reduce collision risks and improve night time visibility for farmers who drive tractors and small vehicles early in the morning or late in the evening.

Beyond the technical aspects, the announcement also carried a political undertone. Mann referred to what he described as the “jarnails” responsible for worsening the drug crisis in Punjab. Although he did not name anyone, he alleged that several political figures who once patronised the drug trade were now facing consequences and were already behind bars. He said past leaders had used their offices and even government vehicles to aid drug trafficking. By contrasting the current road initiative with earlier periods, Mann attempted to frame his government’s efforts as a clean and corrective approach to governance.

The road project is likely to have a wide reach once work begins. Rural households often have to deal with potholes, broken surfaces and uneven stretches that damage vehicles and slow down agricultural transport. Poor road conditions can increase operational costs for farmers who must carry their produce to mandis. Drivers of private and commercial vehicles regularly face long detours and must navigate risky patches, especially during monsoon and winter. In several belts, school buses and medical vans also report delays due to damaged roads.

If implemented effectively, the repair and upgrade work could support smoother supply chains, faster movement of grains and vegetables and more reliable travel for rural communities. The five year maintenance clause is expected to prevent the rapid decline that usually follows long repair gaps. The use of technology for surveying and planning may also help reduce wastage and improve transparency.

However, the real test of the programme will be in its execution. Projects of this scale often face delays due to procurement issues, fund disbursement or contractor inefficiency. Rural residents have repeatedly pointed out that short term patchwork on link roads does not last long. For the initiative to succeed, the upgrade work will need to prioritise durability and adherence to technical specifications. Local monitoring will also play a significant role in ensuring that maintenance commitments are fulfilled throughout the five year period.

The announcement has raised expectations in villages across the state. Whether it becomes a model for rural infrastructure improvement will depend on the pace of the rollout and the consistency of the work. For now, the promise of nearly twenty thousand kilometres of upgraded link roads offers a rare moment of optimism for Punjab’s rural network.