National Highway Project: NHAI Raises Alarms Over Staff Safety Amid Growing Violence in Punjab as PM Modi Prepares for Project Review

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a crucial review of pending national highway projects in Punjab and other states on August 28, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has voiced serious concerns over the safety of its staff and contractors operating in Punjab. The urgency stems from a recent surge in incidents of physical assault and threats directed at NHAI employees and the contractors working under them. These alarming developments have raised the stakes for the upcoming review, with some concessionaires reportedly considering withdrawing from ongoing projects in the state due to the escalating dangers.

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The situation has become particularly dire in Ludhiana, where the protests surrounding land acquisition for the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway—a significant NHAI undertaking—have intensified. Demonstrators have issued threats to burn down project camps, escalating the already tense and hazardous environment for all personnel involved in the construction process. The specter of violence and potential arson has sent waves of fear through the ranks of NHAI officials and the contractors working under increasingly perilous conditions.

In response to these developments, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma has directed Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav to take immediate and stringent measures to safeguard NHAI officials and contractors. Verma emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating in a letter, “The situation is critical, and the police should promptly file FIRs against the threatening letters and ensure the security of all those engaged with the highway works.”

This directive from the Chief Secretary follows a detailed communication from NHAI Regional Officer Vipnesh Sharma, who has meticulously documented a series of alarming incidents. Among these is the July 20 attack on a contractor’s employee in Jalandhar, allegedly perpetrated by local villagers. Sharma further reported that contractors in Ludhiana received threats of violence, with the warning that their project camps and staff would be set ablaze.

Sharma’s communication to Chief Secretary Verma highlighted the severe threats faced by contractors and officials overseeing the construction of the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, particularly in areas from the junction with Ludhiana-Moga Road (NH 5) near Mullanpur Dakha to the junction with Jalandhar-Moga Road (NH 703) near Kang Sahib village. These concerns were raised after contractors lodged complaints with NHAI officials, prompting Sharma to escalate the issue to Verma.

The growing safety concerns have also exacerbated a broader crisis in law and order across the state, as national highway projects increasingly encounter violent resistance. NHAI has expressed its frustration and alarm, warning the Punjab government that contractors may be compelled to abandon projects unless immediate and robust security measures are implemented. In a letter to the state government, NHAI enumerated numerous instances of threats and physical assaults, including death threats against contractors, and urgently called for intervention to ensure the safety and security of all personnel associated with these projects.

NHAI has further urged the state government to establish comprehensive protective arrangements for officers, contractors, and laborers involved in the construction of national highways. The authority underscored the necessity of swift and decisive action, as these threats and resulting project delays pose a significant obstacle to the development of critical infrastructure. Investigations are expected to follow, with officials assuring that those responsible for such threats and acts of violence will be held accountable without delay.