Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann laid the foundation stone of the Dhussi Bandh Link Road at Shahkot in Jalandhar district, Punjab, on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. The project, estimated to cost Rs 61 crore 82 lakh, will add a 37.93-kilometre road corridor to improve local connectivity.

Addressing the gathering, CM Mann said the new road would make travel 'easier and more convenient' (ਆਵਾਜਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਹੋਰ ਸੁਖਾਲਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਵਿਧਾਜਨਕ) for residents of the area. The Chief Minister's Office of Punjab shared the announcement on X, noting the scale and cost of the project.

Context

Shahkot is a town in Jalandhar district, situated in one of Punjab's most productive agricultural belts. Connectivity in such regions directly affects the movement of farm produce to mandis and markets. A dedicated link road along the Dhussi Bandh — the earthen embankment system that runs alongside river channels — addresses a long-standing gap in rural road access for communities in this corridor.

Policy Backdrop

Since taking office in March 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party government under CM Bhagwant Mann has prioritised district-level road infrastructure as part of a broader rural development push. Multiple foundation-stone ceremonies for link roads have been held across the state, reflecting a pattern of incremental upgrades to the rural road network. Such projects are typically executed through the state's Public Works Department and funded from the state capital expenditure budget.

Punjab governments across administrations have historically invested in expanding and upgrading link roads to cut travel time in agricultural zones and ease the movement of goods. The current administration has continued this focus, with the Dhussi Bandh Link Road being one of the more substantial district-level road projects announced in 2026 in terms of both length and outlay.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries are rural residents and farmers along the 37.93-km stretch in and around Shahkot. Improved road access is expected to reduce travel time to nearby urban centres and lower the cost of transporting agricultural produce. Small traders, daily commuters, and students who rely on this corridor for access to schools and health facilities stand to gain from the upgrade.

At Rs 61.82 crore, the project represents a significant per-kilometre investment, signalling the state's intent to build a durable, all-weather road rather than a basic surface upgrade. Construction tendering, quality benchmarks, and timelines will be watched closely by local representatives and residents.

What's Next

The project now moves to the tendering and procurement phase, where contractor selection and work orders will determine the actual construction start date. Progress and any budget revisions are likely to be reviewed in subsequent Punjab Legislative Assembly sessions. The administration's ability to deliver the road within the announced cost and a reasonable timeframe will be a key test of its infrastructure execution record ahead of future electoral cycles.