Is 15km Stretch Worth ₹162 Crore? Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Thinks So

Ludhiana: City officials have defended a massive ₹162 crore infrastructure investment that will see 15 km of key urban corridors transformed into "world-class" thoroughfares at a cost of more than ₹10 crore for each km.The ambitious project, managed by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), promises to move beyond simple repaving to deliver a complete aesthetic and functional redesign of Ludhiana's busiest arteries. It is a high-price transformation. While the price tag has raised eyebrows, municipal corporation (MC) officials justify the expenditure as a long-term solution to the city's aging infrastructure. The project cost includes a ₹3.5 crore survey conducted by a Delhi-based design firm to ensure the roads meet international standards.
The "world-class" blueprint includes infrastructure such as underground utility wiring and enhanced drainage systems to prevent monsoon damage, mobility solutions such as uniform road widths to eliminate bottlenecks, dedicated cycle tracks, and pedestrian walkways, public amenities like smart streetlighting, bus stops, and benches placed at regular intervals, besides elements of aesthetics such as landscaped central verges and green belts.The project covers 10 critical stretches, ranging from hospital zones to major commercial hubs. The longest segment, connecting Sherpur Chowk to Jagraon Bridge, spans 4.38 km. A pre-bid meeting was held Friday to address inquiries from potential contractors. Superintending Engineer Sham Lal Gupta confirmed that the tendering process is currently drawing significant interest from specialized firms.A senior MC official stated: "We are addressing recurring issues like drainage and bottlenecking once and for all," . "People will finally enjoy driving on roads that keep every modern facility in mind." Once the tendering process concludes in the coming weeks, work is expected to begin on multiple fronts to minimize the duration of traffic disruptions. The road to the future requires more than just bitumen — it needs the footpaths, cycle tracks, and smart drainage. By ditching traditional patchwork for a "world-class" blueprint designed in Delhi, officials aim to drive away chronic bottlenecks and drainage woes, replacing them with landscaped boulevards that finally put the "city" back in city planning. MSID:: 128308297 413 |