Nangal March 31
Amid an aggressive push to transform Nangal into a hub of modern infrastructure, skill development and tourism, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann rolled out a ₹75 crore development package, anchored by North India’s first Glass Bridge, a ₹23 crore Centre of Excellence named after Kargil martyr Captain Amol Kalia, and major upgrades in education infrastructure.
Declaring these initiatives as a decisive break from years of stagnation, the Chief Minister outlined a governance model that combines industry-aligned skill training in cutting-edge fields such as Robotics, Electric Vehicles, Solar Technology and Drone Training, expanded access to technical education including for women, and large-scale water augmentation equivalent to the Bhakra Canal to strengthen Punjab’s agrarian backbone.
Positioning the development push alongside a political contrast, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that those who presided over the rise of the drug trade and weakened Punjab’s social fabric can never be forgiven, stating that the people of the state have moved decisively towards a model of honest governance focused on jobs, education and infrastructure.
After dedicating development works worth ₹75 crore to the people, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The Akalis should be booked for the genocide of generations as the drug trade was patronised by them and flourished during their long misrule. The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of millions of youth who fell prey to drugs supplied in the state in their official vehicles. These sins are unpardonable and they can never be forgiven by the people for their long saga of misdeeds.”
Coming down heavily on the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “These are opportunist leaders who change their colours and stance like a chameleon as per their convenience and vested political interests. They have long fooled people by calling themselves farmers, but can they explain how any food grower acquires a huge fleet of buses and a lavish hotel in Gurgaon? All this has been accumulated by selling the interests of the state and its people for their vested political gains.”
The Punjab CM continued, “Sukhbir Singh Badal has lost his base among the masses and paid workers are being used to show crowds in rallies. In every Akali rally, the same crowd is present. Baffled by the unprecedented work done by the state government, he is making baseless and irrational statements. On the basis of such statements, the former Deputy Chief Minister is daydreaming about returning to power, which will never be possible.”
Referring to past incidents, he recalled, “The former Deputy Chief Minister claims massive development during their regime but turns a blind eye to Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and other places where ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place and innocents were killed. All of this happened under their regime. They have forgotten these ‘beadbi’ incidents and believe that people will forget them too, but people will not forget. Their family was complicit. Their ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’ is actually a ‘Parivar Bachao Yatra’. After looting the state for 15 years, they must explain whom they are trying to save Punjab from. The Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally and patronised several mafias.”
“People are well aware of the dubious character of the Akalis and the Badal family, so their theatrics will not work anymore. Those leaders at whose residences canals used to stop earlier never cared about it. Sukhbir Singh Badal is a convent-educated leader who is unaware of the basic topography of Punjab but wants to rule the state,” the Punjab CM added.
Taking aim at broader political claims, he shared, “Those who claimed to be saviours of ‘pani’ (water) destroyed it, and those who projected themselves as sewadars of ‘bani’ failed to stop desecration. In the same way, a master of phraseology running the country has misled people throughout his tenure. The ₹15 lakh promised in every account has still not come, and people, especially women, have suffered due to unplanned policies.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In Congress, every leader wants to become Chief Minister. They have more chief ministerial faces than workers. That is why their top leader publicly snubbed them in a recent rally. The Congress is a divided house that will collapse due to internal infighting, even as its leaders continue to daydream about returning to power.”
Pointing to leadership issues, he continued, “It is unfortunate that top Congress leaders who come to unite their squabbling state leaders do not even know how to pronounce their names. These leaders have no vision for Punjab. Their only aim is to loot the state’s wealth by coming to power, but their dreams will never be fulfilled. Earlier these traditional parties waited for their turn to capture power, but now the broom is here to clean the mess created by them.”
Listing pro-people initiatives, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasised, “Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has been launched under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh, and more than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards. Around 2 lakh people have received free treatment under this scheme, and people must take maximum benefit of it.”
Highlighting power and irrigation reforms, he added, “For the first time in the state’s history, more than eight hours of uninterrupted power has been supplied to farm tube wells during the paddy season. As many as 6,900 km of 18,349 watercourses have been revived to ensure water reaches tail ends, greatly benefiting farmers. For the first time, farmers are receiving electricity during the daytime for irrigation, transforming their lives.”
On fiscal responsibility and women’s welfare, the Punjab CM further added, “Every single penny of the state exchequer is being utilised for the welfare of the people. Under the Maavan Dhian Satkar Yojna, ₹1000 per month is being given to women and ₹1500 to women from the SC communities above 18 years. This ambitious scheme will have a monumental impact on women’s upliftment by making them independent and empowered.”
Emphasising women’s empowerment, he said, “Strengthening women’s financial autonomy is essential for improving household welfare, promoting gender equity and enhancing women’s participation in decision-making. The scheme is expected to benefit more than 97% of women, making it one of the most comprehensive women-centric social protection initiatives in the country. It represents a landmark step towards ensuring direct economic support and reflects the government’s vision of real financial independence for women.”
Highlighting employment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of immense pride that more than 65,000 jobs have been provided to the youth of the state. All jobs have been given purely on merit without corruption or nepotism. This is making youth active partners in Punjab’s socio-economic development.”
Striking an emotional chord, he expressed, “Nangal is a sacred land and I feel fortunate to serve its people. It is surprising that due to failures of previous regimes, people living along the Satluj were deprived of water for drinking and agriculture. For the first time, water resources are being channelised properly in the state. Bhakra Canal has a capacity of 9,500 cusecs, but through our efforts, supply has been enhanced to 11,000 cusecs. In a way, we have created a new Bhakra canal without acquiring even an inch of land. For the first time in Punjab’s history, every single drop of water is being accounted for.”
Detailing further efforts, he said, “₹6,500 crore has been spent to rejuvenate the canal system to ensure water reaches tail ends, and for the first time, 1,444 villages are receiving canal water. We are committed to preserving every drop of Punjab’s water and no other state can take it forcibly. Last year, Haryana attempted such mischief but was taught a lesson and is now using its share judiciously.”
Announcing projects in Nangal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Today is a historic day as several major development projects are being dedicated. The foundation stone of Captain Amol Kalia Centre of Excellence has been laid at a cost of ₹23 crore. The martyr laid down his life at the age of 25 during the Kargil War, and the entire nation is proud of this brave son of Nangal. ₹23 crore will be spent on this institution which will train 540 students. Courses have been designed as per industry needs including Robotics, Electric Vehicle Technology, Solar Technician and 3D Printing. New courses like Civil Aviation, Air Hostess Training and Drone Technology will also be introduced.”
Sharing his vision, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “This Centre of Excellence will become the best skill development hub in the region and generate employment for youth. ITI seat capacity has been increased from 32,000 to 52,308 in 2025–26, with 814 new industry-oriented courses introduced. There are 34 ITIs exclusively for girls and 30% seats are reserved for them in other ITIs.”
Pointing to technical education and tourism, he said, “In private ITIs, 5% seats are reserved for economically weaker students and 11 government ITIs, including Nangal, have been upgraded to Centres of Excellence with ₹22 crore spent on infrastructure and machinery. To promote tourism, a Glass Bridge will be constructed over the lake at Shivalik Park in Nangal. ₹10 crore will be spent on the Glass Bridge, the first of its kind in North India, to enhance the lake’s beauty and boost tourism, with completion expected within six months. A 500-seat auditorium will also be built at the School of Eminence in Nangal at a cost of ₹10 crore.”
On education infrastructure, he added, “A four-storey academic block with four laboratories and 12 classrooms will be constructed at a cost of ₹8 crore. A water treatment plant is also being set up, and no stone will be left unturned for the development of this assembly segment. I thank the people for their overwhelming support, which strengthens our commitment to make a ‘Rangla Punjab.’”
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia stated, “The massive response reflects people’s love for AAP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains. AAP was formed not just to change governments but to transform the system, which is why Punjab is progressing rapidly, especially in education and health. Opposition parties, rattled by this progress, tried to trap us in false cases, but court acquittals have proven our honesty. If Congress, Akalis or BJP return to power, they will end these public welfare schemes.”
Earlier, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “This assembly segment has witnessed holistic development in every sphere, benefiting residents immensely. These historic initiatives will further accelerate development in the region.”
On the occasion Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and others were also present.
The North News
Chandigarh, March 31
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced a ₹75 crore development package for Nangal, unveiling a series of projects including what he said would be North India’s first glass bridge, a new skill development centre named after Kargil martyr Captain Amol Kalia, and upgrades to local education infrastructure. Addressing a public gathering on Monday, Mann said the package was aimed at transforming Nangal into a centre for modern infrastructure, tourism and job-oriented skill training. He described the projects as part of his government’s wider push to combine employment generation, technical education and regional development.
A key project announced was a ₹10 crore glass bridge to be built over the lake at Shivalik Park in Nangal, which the chief minister said would be the first of its kind in North India and would help boost tourism in the area. He said the project was expected to be completed within six months.
Mann also laid the foundation stone for the ₹23 crore Captain Amol Kalia Centre of Excellence, named after the Kargil war martyr from Nangal. The centre is expected to train around 540 students in industry-focused courses such as robotics, electric vehicle technology, solar systems, 3D printing and drone technology. New courses in civil aviation and air hostess training were also announced.
The chief minister said the state was expanding technical education opportunities, noting that ITI seat capacity had risen from 32,000 to more than 52,000 in 2025–26, while more than 800 new industry-oriented courses had been introduced. He said 34 ITIs in Punjab were exclusively for girls, with 30% of seats reserved for women in other institutes.
In the education sector, Mann announced a 500-seat auditorium at the School of Eminence in Nangal at a cost of ₹10 crore, along with a four-storey academic block featuring 12 classrooms and four laboratories, to be built for ₹8 crore. A water treatment plant was also announced as part of the local infrastructure push.
The chief minister said his government was focusing on strengthening Punjab’s irrigation network and claimed that canal water supply had been significantly improved across the state. He said Bhakra Canal capacity had effectively been enhanced from 9,500 cusecs to 11,000 cusecs through better management, which he described as equivalent to creating a “new Bhakra canal” without acquiring land.
Mann said ₹6,500 crore had been spent on reviving the canal system and claimed that 1,444 villages were now receiving canal water. He also said 6,900 km of watercourses had been restored to ensure water reached the tail ends of farming areas.
He highlighted welfare measures including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, under which health cards are being issued to 65 lakh families, offering free treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family. He said more than 30 lakh beneficiaries had already received cards and around two lakh people had availed treatment under the scheme.
The chief minister also referred to the Maavan Dhian Satkar Yojna, under which women are receiving monthly financial assistance, and said the programme was intended to strengthen women’s financial independence and social security.
On employment, Mann said his government had provided more than 65,000 jobs to young people, claiming the recruitment process had been based on merit and free from corruption or nepotism.
Alongside the development announcements, the chief minister launched a strong political attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Badal family, accusing them of presiding over the rise of the drug trade in Punjab and saying they could never be forgiven by the people of the state. He also criticised opposition parties including Congress and the BJP, saying traditional parties had failed Punjab and that his government was delivering governance focused on education, health and infrastructure.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who was present at the event, said Punjab was seeing rapid progress under the Aam Aadmi Party government, particularly in education and health, and claimed opposition parties were unsettled by the state government’s welfare model.
Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains also said the Nangal assembly segment had seen broad-based development and that the newly announced projects would further accelerate growth in the region.
