Attari, April 18
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced a development package of Rs 57.80 crore for the Attari constituency in Amritsar to upgrade 121 roads covering 137 km, aiming to improve connectivity and boost economic activity in border areas.
Addressing a gathering, Mann said regions along the Pakistan border that were previously neglected will now receive focused investment and improved infrastructure. He said the initiative is part of a broader plan to strengthen governance and improve living conditions in border districts. He said the state government is also working to align border fencing to unlock large areas of land for cultivation, along with efforts to eliminate the drug menace at its roots.
Referring to earlier governments, Mann alleged that Punjab had witnessed a difficult phase when drug trafficking spread widely. He said those in power at the time failed to act and allowed the problem to grow, affecting the youth and slowing development. He said the present government has taken steps through its campaign against drugs, adding that the supply chain has been disrupted and those involved have been acted against. He said public support has helped turn the campaign into a wider movement.
Highlighting other initiatives, Mann said free electricity is being provided to a majority of households, and more than 65,000 youth have been given government jobs on a merit basis. He also pointed to improvements in infrastructure and irrigation facilities. He said the use of canal water for irrigation has increased and is expected to rise further in the coming season.
Speaking about relief for border farmers, Mann said the Center has approved shifting the fencing closer to the international border, allowing cultivation on previously restricted land. He said farmers in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, and Ferozepur will benefit, and officials have been directed to conduct surveys for implementation. The initiative is expected to strengthen connectivity, support agriculture, and encourage economic growth in Punjab’s border regions.
