Jalandhar’s major road network is set for proposed upgrades, with widening work planned on Nakodar Road and infrastructure improvements proposed for Kapurthala Road.
The Nakodar Road stretch from Dr BR Ambedkar Chowk to Khambra is proposed to be widened by another five feet on both sides and the road is already four-lane, but the additional widening has been proposed amid increasing traffic pressure on the route.
The proposed work will cover an approximately eight-kilometre stretch, starting from Dr BR Ambedkar Chowk and passing the TV Tower before reaching the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation limits near Khambra, the project is estimated to cost ₹4.79 crore. It will also include work at Sri Guru Ravidas Market.
Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat said the proposal will be placed before the Finance and Contract Committee at its meeting scheduled for the end of August, following which the proposal will have to go through the committee process before the work can move ahead.
The Nakodar Road stretch serves several residential areas, including Avtar Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, New Suraj Ganj, Dayal Nagar, Deol Nagar, Ajit Nagar, Makhdumpura, Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, Guru Ravidas Nagar and Khambra.
The road is described as an important route for the population living along these areas, with around 1.20 lakh people residing in the areas connected by the stretch.
Under a separate proposal, Kapurthala Road is also set to receive an infrastructure upgrade, as the stretch from Jalandhar Kunj to Basti Bawa Khel has been proposed for development according to ‘Smart Road’ standards.
The Kapurthala Road project has an estimated cost of ₹5.88 crore and the proposed work includes stormwater drainage pipelines, footpaths and street lighting.
The road connects several residential and industrial areas on the Jalandhar-Kapurthala route, which include Banda Singh Bahadur Nagar, Basti Bawa Khel, Basti Paffar Dad, Anand Nagar, New Anand Nagar, Green Park and the Surgical Complex.
Around one lakh people live in the areas served by this stretch.