MLA inaugurates Rs 66L road construction project at Patiala

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli inaugurated the construction of new roads and streets in the Lahori Gate area today, marking the start of Rs 66 lakh project. The project aims to restore roads that were excavated by L&T for the installation of pipelines to provide a 24/7 canal water supply.

Kohli said the restoration work is progressing quickly and would be completed soon. Key officials present at the event included the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Dr Rajat Oberoi; Joint Commissioner Deepjot Kaur; and XEN Water Supply Vikas Dhawan.

The new roadwork would improve several key areas in Lahori Gate, including Chicka Wali Gali, Karkhas Colony, Mahajan Gali, Chanan Dogra and Mahashian Wali Gali near Division No 4. Kohli said it has been nearly 25 years since these streets were last rebuilt.

Reflecting on the city’s development, Kohli said while previous governments labelled Patiala as a centre of power, actual development had often been limited to promises. Local residents expressed their appreciation for Kohli’s hands-on approach to addressing their needs.

Following the inauguration, Kohli met with L&T and Water Supply Department officials to review the progress of road repairs. He instructed L&T to expedite the remaining work, emphasising no delays would be tolerated. Kohli also announced construction work on the road from Thikriwala Chowk to YPS Chowk would begin next week, with work in Ablowal set to start in two days.

Kohli further said the roads had been dug up by L&T to lay pipes as part of the Rs 288 crore surface water project, of which Rs 15.60 crore was allocated for road construction. The reconstruction of these roads would ensure that the new stretch matches the quality of the original.

Recently, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh revealed that a fine of Rs 9.50 crore had been imposed on L&T for delays in the canal water supply project. However, he assured residents the project would be operational by December 2025.