In a major breakthrough for Punjab’s border communities, Cabinet Minister for NRI Affairs Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday announced that the Army has agreed to widen the crucial 72-kilometer Ajnala road. Currently 5.5 meters wide, the road will be expanded to seven meters, easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity in the border region. 

During a meeting at the 11 Corps Headquarters in Jalandhar Cantt, Minister Dhaliwal held discussions with Lieutenant General Ajay Chandpuria and his team, resulting in this long-awaited decision. The road, falling under Army jurisdiction, has long been a bottleneck, particularly during the cane harvesting season, when overloaded trolleys create persistent traffic snarls. 

The Minister highlighted that he had raised the matter with the Ministry of Defence, leading to today’s on-the-spot review by Army officials. The widening project is expected to commence in 2025, with further discussions underway to extend specific stretches to 10 meters in high-traffic zones like the cane belts. “This project will significantly enhance connectivity, benefiting farmers, residents, and troops stationed along this critical border belt,” said Dhaliwal. 

The development also brings the possibility of constructing an Ajnala Bypass to further strengthen regional connectivity. The Minister expressed gratitude to the Army for their positive response, emphasizing how the project aligns with the Punjab Government’s commitment to border residents' welfare. 

Spanning key towns including Ajnala, Lopoke, Sohal, Talwandi Raidadu, and Bhindi Saida, the upgraded road will particularly ease traffic during procurement seasons, providing much-needed relief to the region's farmers.