Question : Four-laning of Ludhiana-Talwandi Bhai Section

(a) whether the four-laning work on Ludhiana-Talwandi Bhai section of NH-95 is running behind schedule of its completion year 2014 and if so, the present status of work thereon along with the reason for delay in completion thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware that around 780 people have died on the said stretch till date due to incomplete/pending work thereon and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government proposes to conduct any enquiry regarding the causes of the said deaths and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to grant adequate compensation to the families of these victims and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the time by which the work on said stretch is likely to be completed along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) Yes Sir. The project commenced in March, 2012 with scheduled completion date as September, 2014. The project is delayed due to concessionaire’s internal financial issues and delay in approval from Railway Authority. As on July 2019, work in 76 km out of 78 km stretch has been completed. The balance 2.0 km length is mainly affected due to work of ROB and its approaches.

(b) to (d) Some fatalities have been reported as per details collected from local police authority. Since the major portion of the project highway has been completed, the main reasons for the accidents occurring in the stretch are rash driving, over speeding, drunken driving, using mobile during driving, etc.

(e) The rescheduled date of completion is March, 2020. The Concessionaire has also been directed to expedite the construction activities.

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