Nitin Gadkari vs AAP government over attacks on NHAI workers
What's the story
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding alleged attacks on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) workers in Jalandhar. In the letter, he warned that is the the situation does not improve, NHAI will have no other option but to cancel eight other "severely affected projects with total length of 293 km costing ₹14,288 crore."
Violence
Gadkari cites incidents of violence against NHAI workers
Gadkari's letter highlighted incidents of alleged attacks on engineers and contractors in Jalandhar. He wrote, "In one incident in Jalandhar District, the Engineer of the Contractor was brutally assaulted. Although FIR has been registered in this regard, strong action is required to be taken against the perpetrators." "In another incident in Ludhiana District, the Project camp of the Contractor of Delhi-Katra Expressway was attacked by miscreants, who also threatened the engineers to burn the project camp and their staff alive."
Action
Gadkari urges state government to take immediate action
Taking this into consideration, Gadkari urged the Punjab government to take immediate corrective measures, file FIRs, and ensure strong action against the perpetrators. He also expressed disappointment that despite assurances from stakeholders during a review meeting on July 15, no progress has been made on land acquisition for key projects. The law and order situation, he noted, has further worsened.
Termination
Concessionaires seek to terminate contracts, Gadkari warns of project cancellation
Gadkari pointed out that several concessionaires have sought to terminate their contracts and have raised claims against NHAI due to unresolved land acquisition issues and deteriorating law and order. He warned that if these issues are not promptly addressed, NHAI will have "no option but to cancel/terminate" the affected highway projects, rendering the entire stretch "useless."
Response
Punjab ministers dismiss Gadkari's claims as politically motivated
Punjab Minister Aman Arora responded to Gadkari's claims, stating that the law and order situation in Punjab is "absolutely fine." He challenged the central government to substantiate its claims about the deteriorating law and order situation. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema also reacted sharply, suggesting that Gadkari's claims were politically motivated against Punjab. "BJP hates Punjab because of Punjab farmers had played a crucial role in farmers' agitation," Cheema said.