The Ghulatis On The Go team embarked on a two-day journey across Punjab to provide a comprehensive update on the construction progress of two significant expressways: the Delhi-Katra Expressway (DKE) and the Jamnagar-Amritsar Expressway (JAE). The purpose of this extensive ground report was to offer viewers a detailed look at the current status of these major infrastructure projects, covering various sections in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Dharamkot (Moga).
The journey aimed to capture real-time visuals of earthwork, embankment construction, bridges, flyovers, and service roads, highlighting the overall development and potential impact on regional connectivity. By venturing into interior villages and along major highways, the team sought to provide an authentic perspective on the challenges and advancements in the construction of these vital corridors under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.
Delhi-Katra Expressway: Ludhiana Section
The initial segment of the journey focused on Package 9 of the Delhi-Katra Expressway near Ludhiana. The team began by navigating through the South City area, leaving National Highway 44 to explore the interior roads. This approach allowed for a closer inspection of the expressway's path through local villages, offering a unique perspective often missed from the main highways.
The expressway in this section is designed to cross the Firozpur Road, which connects Ludhiana to Firozpur. The construction here revealed significant progress, particularly in the retaining walls and flyovers. While some stretches still required work, the overall pace of construction appeared steady, with earth-filling activities visibly underway. The team noted that the expressway passes directly through villages, necessitating careful planning and execution to integrate the new infrastructure with existing local routes.
Village Dakha: An Interior View of DKE
A key stop in the Ludhiana section was Village Dakha, where the Delhi-Katra Expressway cuts through the heart of the village. The team disembarked to provide a detailed, on-foot report of the construction. Here, the retaining walls were observed to be fully complete, with two flyovers also in place. Local residents, including the Sarpanch (village head), confirmed that approximately 8-9 kilometers of the expressway on both sides of the village were largely complete, with only intermittent stretches remaining unfinished.
The Sarpanch also indicated that blacktop work was soon to commence on the completed sections. Despite recent rains causing muddy conditions on the approach roads, construction vehicles were still actively using the routes. This segment offered a rare glimpse into the expressway's impact on rural landscapes and the ongoing efforts to connect disparate sections of the highway.
Connecting to NH5: Ludhiana-Firozpur Road
After exploring Village Dakha, the team rejoined National Highway 5, also known as Firozpur Road. This highway serves as a crucial link between Firozpur and Ludhiana. The Delhi-Katra Expressway intersects NH5, with distinct spurs designed for traffic flowing towards Delhi and Jalandhar/Jammu. The Jalandhar-bound spur showed considerable progress, with pillars and girders already installed, indicating nearing completion.
However, the Delhi-bound spur, intended for traffic coming from Jalandhar and heading towards Delhi, still required significant work. While permanent structures were visible in the background, the immediate area lacked completed side walls and connecting infrastructure. Construction materials and machinery were present, suggesting that work would intensify in this section. The team observed that while the Jalandhar side of the expressway was well on its way to completion, the Delhi-facing side still had substantial work pending.
Jalandhar Section: Kang Sabhu and Outer Ring Road
The journey continued towards Jalandhar, specifically the Kang Sabhu area. After crossing Nakodar, the team entered National Highway 703, a four-lane national highway connecting Jalandhar to Moga, Firozpur, and Bathinda. This highway also provides connectivity to the Jamnagar-Amritsar Expressway. Near Kang Sabhu, the Delhi-Katra Expressway splits into two spurs: one heading towards Jammu (via Kapurthala) and the other towards Amritsar.
The Jammu-bound spur near Kang Sabhu showed completed pillars and girders, but the connecting earth-filling and blacktop work were still largely incomplete, particularly on the side leading towards Jammu. Conversely, the Ludhiana-facing side of this spur appeared closer to completion. The team also briefly covered the Jalandhar Outer Ring Road, noting that while pillars for both incoming and outgoing traffic were erected, the main trusses and road surface were yet to be laid, indicating a slower pace of progress in this particular section.
Jamnagar-Amritsar Expressway: Sultanpur Lodhi and Dharamkot
The final leg of the report covered the Jamnagar-Amritsar Expressway, part of the Bharatmala Project, focusing on the Sultanpur Lodhi and Dharamkot (Moga) sections. Near Village Dalla in Sultanpur Lodhi, the expressway was found to be almost entirely complete, with blacktop work already finished and signboards installed. This section of the JAE is a six-lane expressway, contrasting with the four-lane Delhi-Katra Expressway.
Further along, near Dharamkot on NH 703, the JAE merges with the Amritsar spur of the Delhi-Katra Expressway at Village Tibba (Moga). Here, the construction was also well advanced, with retaining walls and earth-filling largely completed. Heavy machinery was actively engaged in blacktop work, indicating a high pace of construction. This merger point is crucial for seamless connectivity between Gujarat and Punjab, and its near-completion signifies a major milestone for both expressways.
Practical Takeaways
This extensive ground report highlights the dynamic and varied pace of expressway construction across Punjab. While some sections, like parts of the Delhi-Katra Expressway near Ludhiana and the Jamnagar-Amritsar Expressway near Sultanpur Lodhi, are nearing completion with blacktop work underway, other sections, particularly the Delhi-facing spur of the DKE near NH5 and parts of the Jalandhar Outer Ring Road, still require significant effort. The team's journey through interior villages provided valuable insights into the local impact and integration challenges of these large-scale projects. Travelers can expect improved connectivity in the coming year, especially on the Jalandhar-bound routes, but should anticipate ongoing construction and potential delays on sections still under development. The commitment to completing these expressways under the Bharatmala Pariyojana is evident, with visible progress across most sites, promising enhanced travel and economic benefits for the region.
Watch the Original Journey
This article is connected to the original Ghulatis On The Go video below. Watch it for the complete visual experience and conversations from the road.