Punjab Govt pushes for National Highway upgrade for key road

The state government has sent a proposal to the Centre to declare the Balachaur-Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road as a National Highway. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain said the efforts by Hoshiarpur MP Dr Rajkumar Chabbewal and Punjab Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri were behind this.

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This 104.96 km long road connects several districts of Punjab and is an important link. It is regularly used by industrial units, transporters and passengers, but due to its limited width, issues like traffic jams, accidents and delays in transportation occur.

In the letter sent by the state to the Centre, it was stated that if this road is upgraded to a National Highway and widened, it will improve traffic safety and benefit business, industry and travel. This road is strategically significant as it connects northern Punjab to major industrial hubs and will improve interstate connectivity.

The letter further states that, according to the report received from the field office, the current daily traffic volume on this route is 23,198 Passenger Car Units (PCU), which qualifies it for four-laning as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The total length of the road is 104.96 km, with a carriageway width of 10 metres.

The DC emphasised the strategic importance of the road and recommended that it be declared a National Highway soon so that its development process can begin. She said she had also requested, through an official letter dated March 19, 2025, that this road be declared a National Highway.

The letter sent by the government mentions that this road (State Highway-24), running from Balachaur through Hoshiarpur to Dasuya, serves as a vital link connecting various districts of Punjab. The road experiences heavy traffic and is regularly used by industrial units, transporters and commuters. However, due to the limited width of the road, issues such as traffic congestion, accidents and transport delays are commonly encountered.