Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, February 20-
Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, in his address during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, said that laying a strong foundational infrastructure is among the top priorities of the Haryana government. This not only simplifies people's lives but also attracts industries and investments, strengthening the state's economy.
He said that a network of 4-lane and 6-lane highways has been laid in the state. Flyovers and underbridges have been built at various places to facilitate traffic, metro has been expanded, new railway lines have been laid, and the state has also taken steps towards air connectivity.
Now every district of Haryana is connected with national highways. Roads of 32,915 km length were improved at a cost of Rs. 19,920 crore in the state. In addition, new roads of 2123 km length have been constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,322.43 crore, making people's mobility easier. During the last four years, the construction work of 36 railway overbridges and underbridges has been completed at a cost of Rs. 728 crore and the construction work of 52 railway overbridges and underbridges is in progress at the cost of Rs. 1,503 crore. At the cost of Rs.1,026 crore, 2349 km long roads have been constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and the work of 119 km long roads is in progress. 13 toll tax barriers have been removed during the tenure of the present government to facilitate traffic.
He stated that the Railway services have commenced on the Rohtak-Maham-Hansi railway line. Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Bhiwani-Dobh Bhali railway line at a cost of Rs. 470 crore, the Manheru-Bawani Kheda railway line at a cost of Rs. 410 crore, the Rewari-Kathuwas railway line at a cost of Rs. 350 crore and the Kathuwas-Narnaul railway line doubling project at a cost of Rs. 310 crore. The doubling of these lines will enhance connectivity and facilitate smoother transportation of passengers and goods.
He said that feasibility study of elevated railway station and track in Kaithal is in progress. The work of the project of elevated railway line at a cost of Rs 265.18 crore is in progress in 23 Kurukshetra city. Work has started on the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor project, which will be built from Palwal’s Prithla to Sonipat at a cost of Rs. 5,566 crore, along with the KMP Expressway.
Governor informed that Haryana Airports Development Corporation Limited has been established. This will accelerate the development of aviation infrastructure in the state, create employment opportunities, establish aviation training academies, enhance maintenance and overhaul facilities, and accelerate growth in aerospace and defence manufacturing. Haryana's first airport has been established in Hisar, named after Maharaja Agrasen, and is expected to commence flight operations in April. A domestic airport is being constructed on 20 acres of land in Ambala.
He further stated that under the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, Government has provided drinking water connections to about 13 lakh rural households under the ‘Har Ghar-Nal se Jal’ campaign. Under the Mahagram Yojana, drinking water supply of 135 liters per person per day has been ensured in villages with a population of more than 10,000, as per the 2011 census.
Under the Mahagram Yojana, the government has envisioned an all-inclusive approach for augmented drinking water supply of up to 135 litres per person per day and adequate sewerage treatment infrastructure in villages with a population of more than 10,000 as per the 2011 census. 12 villages have been covered till date and 10 more are likely to be provided sewerage network by 31 March 2024. As many as 17 STPs at a cost of Rs. 261 crores have been commissioned in last 4 years.
In the rural and urban areas of State, 88 Canal based and 1750 tubewell based water 24 schemes have been commissioned at a cost of Rs. 6,060 crore in the same period. Potential areas of non-potable use like power plants, municipal corporations, industries and irrigation have been identified under Treated Waste Water Policy. 200 lakh litres of treated water is being used daily in these areas.
He said that government is committed to the holistic development of the energy sector and ensuring adequate electricity supply to the residents. The construction work of a new unit with a capacity of 800 megawatts in Yamunanagar, costing Rs. 7272 crore rupees, has been entrusted to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. This project will be completed in 57 months. He expressed satisfaction that under the 'Mhara Gaon-Jagmag Gaon' scheme, 24-hour electricity supply is being provided to 5805 villages to date. Additionally, 28 new substations have been established at a cost of Rs. 1,809 crore, and 266 transformers have been installed to increase the capacity of existing substations. Under the Pardhan Mantri Kissan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Maha Abhiyan Yojana, solar pumps are being made available with a 75% subsidy. Under this scheme, 67,418 solar pumps have been installed, and 70,000 new solar pumps will be installed. The Governor stated, 'The state government has increased the number of buses in Haryana State Transport fleet from 4500 to 5300. The government has decided to run city electric AC bus services in 9 cities of the state - Panipat, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Sonipat, Rohtak, Hisar and Rewari of which electrical bus services in Panipat and Yamunanagar have started and the services would be expanded in phased another city by June 2024. He mentioned that 181 special bus services have been made available for girls and women on 213 routes.