Punjab Urban Infra Push: Rs 1300 Cr Road Works

Chandigarh, Apr 2 (PTI) Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora on Thursday said the state government is fast-tracking urban infrastructure development with major reforms, improved services and large-scale projects.

He said the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for Improvement Trusts has been reintroduced till April 30, 2026, offering around 50 per cent rebate on non-construction fee to provide relief to property owners.

Arora said house tax collection for 2025-26 has reached Rs 600 crore, up from Rs 500 crore last year, indicating better efficiency and compliance in urban local bodies.

The minister said 2,120 km of roads are being built across municipal bodies at a cost of Rs 1,300 crore, with a target to complete the work by May-end. He added that efforts are being made to ensure pothole-free roads before the monsoon.

To improve ease of doing business, the building plan approval process has been simplified, with files now needing to be submitted only once.


STP approvals will now be required only for plots of half an acre and above.

He said a single-window system has been introduced at the district and headquarters levels to speed up approvals.

Arora said Rs 131 crore is being spent to modernise fire services, including new fire tenders and 13 fire stations.

He added that sewer cleaning is being carried out on priority before the monsoon, with special machines deployed. Sewerage projects worth Rs 450 crore have been allotted, and Rs 700 crore more will be taken up soon.

On water management, he said works worth Rs 700 crore have been allotted, and 30 water treatment plants worth Rs 800 crore will be taken up.

"Punjab is witnessing a new phase of urban transformation aimed at better services and improved quality of life," the minister said.