Shahkot: With an aim to protect the areas around Sutlej river from floods and to strengthen the mobility in the flood affected area, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today laid the foundation stone of the link road from Shahkot-Moga-Rampur Road to Gidderpindi Dhussi Dam in Shahkot constituency at a cost of Rs 61.82 crore. The 37.93 km long project aims to strengthen flood protection infrastructure, improve connectivity and accelerate economic development in the Shahkot-Lohian region.
What did the CM say while addressing the gathering?
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The total length of this important road to be built along the Sutlej river will be 37.93 kilometres. Our government has sanctioned Rs 61.82 crore for this mega infrastructure project. People living in Shahkot and Lohian areas were living under the constant threat of floods for decades. Previous governments had made big promises during elections, but always ignored the infrastructure needs of this rural area.”
The Chief Minister said, “We do not believe in making false promises but in delivering results. I have myself seen the hardships faced by the people of this region when villages were cut off during the rainy season. The construction of this road on the Dhussi Dam will further strengthen the dam built on the banks of river Sutlej and will act as a strong shield for the local people against the dangers of floods.”
He further said, “This road will provide great convenience in daily commuting to about 15-16 thousand residents living in about 15 villages of the area. It will connect Shahkot-Moga Road with Lohian-Makhu Road and will act as an effective bypass, thereby reducing the traffic problem on the existing route to a great extent. During the monsoon season, this road will ensure smooth and hassle-free movement of farmers, school buses and the general public.” Will do.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our government is determined to create strong rural infrastructure and ensure high quality road and mobility networks across Punjab. This project is not just the construction of a road, but an investment in security, connectivity, economic development and better quality of life for the people of Shahkot-Lohian region.”
Referring to other people-friendly and development-oriented works of his government, the Chief Minister said, “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for me that the ‘AAP’ government has given more than 67,000 government jobs to the youth. The era of recommendations and exchange of money is over in Punjab and now the youth are getting jobs only on the basis of merit and qualification.”
He further said, “Government jobs are being given to eligible candidates entirely on the basis of merit, due to which not a single appointment has been challenged in the court.”
Highlighting the achievements in the healthcare sector, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state has significantly strengthened the primary healthcare system through the historic step of setting up about 990 ‘Aam Aadmi Clinics’ in a planned manner in both urban and rural areas. These clinics, built on the principles of standardization, provide 107 essential medicines and 47 tests absolutely free of cost with the support of IT based real-time reporting. The people have overwhelmingly supported it as so far More than 5.54 crore OPDs have been registered. About 84,000 patients are being served daily and more than 90 percent of the patients are getting all the necessary medicines free of cost.
He further said, “The impact of this public health initiative has been unmatched and 97 per cent of patients have expressed satisfaction with the services received, which shows the confidence of the people in the scheme. 400 more Aam Aadmi Clinics are being started soon and Punjab is fully committed to ensure that no citizen is deprived of standard primary healthcare.”
Referring to irrigation reforms, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab has utilized 96 per cent of canal water this year through improved irrigation system, which has greatly benefited the farmers, whereas earlier this water used to get wasted. Our government has laid 14,000 kilometers of pipes and made skins across the state for the convenience of farmers in every nook and corner of Punjab.”
He further said, “21,000 cusecs of water has been released in these pipelines and ditches to benefit the farmers by meeting their irrigation needs. This water released by the state government is equivalent to the water supplied by two Bhakra canals and this step will greatly benefit the farmers across Punjab.”
The Chief Minister said, “Recharge points have been placed in canals and rivers to improve the groundwater level and these efforts have led to the water level rising by two to four meters in many areas. Taxpayers’ money is being spent wisely for the welfare of the people and it is coming back to them in the form of development, schools, hospitals and roads.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “The Punjab government is now working for the people and 19 toll plazas have been closed, due to which people are saving Rs 70 lakh every day. The state government is smoothly utilizing every penny of the government treasury for the welfare of the people of Punjab.”
He further said, “More than 90 percent of the houses in Punjab are getting free electricity and even farmers are getting electricity today during the day, which has never happened before. At a time when the Central Government is giving away the country’s assets to its favorites at throwaway prices, the Punjab Government has created history by purchasing a private thermal plant and naming it after Shri Guru Amardas Ji.”
Speaking about the women empowerment initiatives, the Chief Minister said, “Our government has started registration for the Mukhyamantri Mavan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana. Under this, women above 18 years of age of all other categories will get Rs 1,000 per month, while Scheduled Caste women will get Rs 1,500 per month as financial assistance.”
“For common people, especially the poor, Rs 1,000-1,500 is a big amount. This amount is a symbol of respect for Mawan and Dhiyan and the smiles on the faces of women because of this scheme give me great satisfaction,” he pointed out.
Mention of the state’s universal health care scheme
Referring to the state’s universal healthcare scheme, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “To provide comprehensive healthcare facilities to the people, the Punjab government has launched ‘Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana’, which is the first of its kind in the country. It provides free (cashless) treatment up to Rs 10 lakh to every family in Punjab.”
He further said, “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first Indian state to provide comprehensive health insurance facility, which has significantly reduced the financial burden on the public while ensuring standard health services. This historic step aims to provide universal healthcare to all families in the state and people have so far availed free treatment worth more than Rs 650 crore.”
During this, the Chief Minister said, “I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to pass the ‘Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026’. In the past, whenever incidents of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place, the mentality of crores of people was deeply hurt. God has given me the strength to bring this bill after detailed consultation with legal experts. The Punjab Government has passed this bill. It has been prepared very thoughtfully so that it serves as a big warning to anti-social elements to desist from committing any such crime in future and no one should ever dare to commit such a heinous crime.”
Rajya Sabha member Sant Baba Balveer Singh Seechewal and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.
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