Chandigarh, April 16
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced a ₹150 crore development package for Punjab’s Kandi belt, promising new roads, a bridge and expanded healthcare in an area he said had been overlooked for decades.
Speaking at Tanda Urmur in Hoshiarpur district on Wednesday, the chief minister said the investment aimed to address “years of neglect” and improve basic infrastructure in the region. Projects include upgrading rural link roads, building a high-level bridge to ease access to Gurdwara Rampur Kheda Sahib, and setting up health and wellness centres in several villages.
According to the state government, most of the funding will go towards road improvements, while smaller allocations have been earmarked for healthcare facilities and a village water supply scheme. An urban primary health centre is also planned in Garhdiwala.
Mann said the initiatives were part of a broader effort by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to expand public services across Punjab. He added that nearly 1,000 neighbourhood clinics have already been opened in the state, offering free medicines and diagnostic tests, with more facilities expected.
The chief minister also highlighted progress in education, citing improved student performance in national assessments and the expansion of “Schools of Eminence” aimed at providing quality learning opportunities.
However, his speech also took a political turn, as he criticised previous governments, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress, accusing them of failing to deliver development and prioritising political interests over public welfare.
Mann said his government would continue focusing on infrastructure, healthcare and education, arguing that these sectors are key to long-term economic and social progress in Punjab.
The announcement comes as political activity in the state intensifies, with parties seeking to strengthen their support base ahead of future elections.
