NHAI Faces Threats to Contractors in Punjab

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has warned the Punjab government that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may cancel eight major highway projects if safety concerns for contractors and staff are not addressed. Recent incidents, including assaults on NHAI officials and threats of violence against contractors in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, have raised alarms about the safety of those involved in the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project. In response, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma has instructed the Director General of Police to ensure immediate action, including lodging FIRs against those responsible for the threats. NHAI officials have indicated that ongoing law and order issues could lead contractors to abandon their work, potentially halting vital infrastructure projects in the state. The situation remains critical as NHAI emphasizes the need for police protection to restore confidence among its personnel and contractors. Failure to resolve these issues may result in significant financial implications, with projects worth ₹14,288 crore at risk.