Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday, 28 June inaugurated a newly constructed flyover at the junction of Sultanwind Bypass and Sultanwind Link Road in Amritsar, dedicating the infrastructure project to the people of the holy city. Built to ease chronic traffic congestion for over two lakh devotees who visit Amritsar daily, the project was completed at a cost of ₹22.68 crore — a saving of ₹11.52 crore against the approved outlay of ₹34.20 crore.

Project Specifications

The flyover stretches 725 metres in length and 14 metres in width, with the total project length — including approach roads — measuring 985 metres. Service roads, each 5.50 metres wide, have been laid on both sides to facilitate smooth movement of local traffic. The structure addresses a long-standing bottleneck at the junction of Sultanwind Link Road on Tarn Taran Road near Tara Wala Bridge, where commuters, local residents, and out-of-city pilgrims had endured severe congestion for years.

What the Chief Minister Said

Speaking to the media after the inauguration, CM Mann said: 'Every day, more than two lakh devotees visit Sri Darbar Sahib and other historic and religious places in this sacred city. To make the journey of devotees more convenient and comfortable, our government is continuously strengthening the city's infrastructure.'

He credited a transparent procurement and execution system for the cost savings, stating that the ₹11.52 crore saved represents public money returned through accountable governance. He also noted that contractors are now bound to maintain more than 43,000 km of roads across the state for five years — a shift toward long-term maintenance accountability.

Broader Development Announcements

The inauguration served as a platform for CM Mann to outline the government's upcoming infrastructure targets. He announced that 3,100 new stadiums, 3,000 gyms, and 400 new Aam Aadmi Clinics will be ready by 15 July. He also highlighted that more than 80 per cent of canal water is now being channelled for irrigation — a figure the government cited as evidence of improved resource utilisation.

Political Context

Taking a dig at the Opposition, CM Mann alleged that political rivals have resorted to circulating fake videos after failing to mount a credible challenge to the government's development record. The remarks came as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government continues to position infrastructure delivery as its core electoral narrative ahead of future polls.

Impact on Amritsar

Amritsar, home to the Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), draws millions of pilgrims and tourists annually, making smooth urban transit a civic and religious priority. The new flyover is expected to reduce travel time for thousands of daily commuters and ease the movement of devotees across the city's congested arterial roads. With the state government tying contractor accountability to road maintenance, the project signals a broader shift in how Punjab intends to manage public infrastructure going forward.