CHANDIGARH: Punjab Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Thursday said that the Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) is currently executingnearly 250 building projects worth approximately Rs 2000 crore across 15 client departments. These works, funded by the respective departments and executed by PWD, demonstrate the department's commitment to developing and upgrading Punjab's building infrastructure.
PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO emphasized that PWD (B&R) is prioritizing the construction of Health infrastructure, including 18 Child Care Blocks (CCBs) worth Rs. 264 crore and 18 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL) labs, with 4 already under construction. The PWD has also made significant strides in constructing Aam Admi Clinics, with around 420 clinics already built across the state. Furthermore, the department will undertake works worth Rs 3000 crore for Medical Colleges at Malerkotla, Sangrur, SAS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar, and Moga in the FY 2025-26. He said that this initiative aims to enhance the state's capacity for public health diagnostics and provide quality healthcare facilities to its citizens.
Highlighting the PWD's efforts extended to Education Sector, the another priority sector of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the PWD (B&R) is working on 56 Schools of Eminence, with 19 ongoing and 10 Schools have already been completed. He said that these schools aim to provide high-quality educationinfrastructure across Punjab to children of all strata of society.
The Minister informed that the judicial infrastructure has also received a significant boost, with granting of administrative approvals amounting to Rs. 250 crore in the current fiscal year 2024-25. He said that the key projects include the development of Judicial Court Complexes (JCC) in Khanna, Patran, and Fazilka, featuring components such as courtrooms, residential accommodations, and computer rooms to accommodate the increasing caseload. “Additionally, the repair and maintenance of judicial complexes, undertaken separately under the head 2059, ensure that existing judicial facilities remain in good condition”, said the PWD Minister.
Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO further added that the PWD (B&R) is committed to ensuring the upkeep and functionality of existing infrastructure, including the repair and maintenance of Judicial Court Complexes, Government Buildings, and Government Quarters. In FY 2024-25, funds amounting to Rs. 40 crore are being spent for the upkeep of Government Buildings.
The PWD Minister also highlighted that the department has played a crucial role in executing numerous monuments, memorials, and public buildings across the State. He said that the Architectural Wing, associated with the Department, provides services such as evolving building plans, designing green buildings, and landscaping for various state government departments. “Special attention is given to ensuring unimpeded access by incorporating ramps, lifts, escalators, and other facilities for persons with disabilities (divyangjan)”, he added.