FAZILKA, 22 March 2026:
Rolling out an expansive network of world-class roads across Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government has accelerated its infrastructure push with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laying the foundation stone for 300 km of new roads and initiating repair work for 350 km in Jalalabad, Fazilka. The Chief Minister asserted that the era of corruption-driven, poor-quality construction is now firmly behind the state.
Positioning this as part of a massive 43,000 km road network being built across Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that strict accountability will ensure durability, announced plans to eliminate electricity poles through underground wiring, and expressed confidence that a satisfied electorate will return the government with a decisive mandate.
Addressing the rally, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In the last four years, the state government has done more work than others did in 70 years. The state government is moving forward, and in 2027, the state will take this development to the next level. The development is coupled with a number of pro-people policies aimed at ensuring the well being of the common man.”
Expressing confidence in public support, he added, “It is a writing on the wall that with the active support of the common man, the Aam Aadmi Party will again form the government in 2027. Owing to the pro-people and development oriented policies of the state government, we will again win more than 100 seats in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha polls. The massive support shown by the people is a testimony to this fact that people are waiting to teach traditional parties a lesson by again showing them the door.”
Highlighting the contrast with opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The AAP government is working tirelessly for welfare of people whereas the opposition has always sought share in the successful ventures during their days in power.” He added, “These leaders want to ruin the state by patronizing drugs and criminals due to which people had ousted them from power. Now all these anti-Punjab forces have joined hands to ruin Punjab and the time has come when Punjabis should also join hands to show them the door.”
Taking a dig at the Akali Dal, he said, “The real name of this gimmick of Akali Dal is ‘parivar bachao yatra’. After looting the state for 15 years, from whom are they trying to save Punjab? Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally and patronized several mafias.” He added, “People are well aware of the dubious character of the Akalis and Badal family due to which their theatricals won’t work now.”
The Chief Minister further said, “These leaders had patronized the gangsters in the state and infused drugs in the veins of the youth by shielding the drug smugglers. Akali Dal has always misused religion for their vested political interests but this time people will not get swayed away by it. The Akali leadership is building castles in the air to mislead the people of the state, but Punjabis will not fall prey to it.”
Targeting the Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Congress leaders are daydreaming to assume power in the state. The Congress party is a divided house that will collapse due to their infighting. It is a pity that top Congress leaders are squabbling for power and have no vision for the state. Their only aim is to plunder the wealth of Punjab by assuming power, but their dreams will never be fulfilled.” He added, “Earlier these traditional parties just waited for their turn to grab power but now the broom is there to clean the mess created by these parties.”
Announcing a major welfare initiative, he said, “The state government has started Maavan Dhian Satkar Yojana under which every woman will be entitled for ₹1,000 per month and ₹1,500 per month for women belonging to Scheduled Castes. Funds will be directly transferred to bank accounts and women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible. Around 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit and the state government has allotted ₹9,300 crore in the budget. Registration will begin from April 13.”
Responding to criticism of the scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those who are mocking the state government over the launch of the scheme or are raising baseless queries don’t know the value of ₹1,000 for the common man. These people who spend more than ₹5,000 per meal from illegally minted money don’t value this amount, which is a big financial assistance for those who have to work hard even on festivals. The wives of these affluent leaders don’t need ₹1,000 as they spend more on cosmetics.”
On infrastructure, he said, “The AAP Government has embarked on a major program for repair of link roads across the state. There are a total of 43,000 kilometers of link roads and the state government has launched a project for their repair and upgradation. Along with repairing these roads, their maintenance will also be carried out for the next five years.”
Highlighting regional development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this development meeting has been transformed into a massive rally. Punjab has seen a massive transformation in the last four years as water has reached areas where it hadn’t for 50–60 years.” He added, “This is a border area where professionals like doctors and teachers hesitate to serve, which is why the state government has made it mandatory for them to serve at least two years in border areas.”
He further said, “These teachers and doctors will receive extra allowance and additional points for promotions. The children of this region are extremely talented.” Sharing an anecdote, he added, “In 2008–09, I visited Donana village where a girl topped Punjab in 5th grade. Her family couldn’t afford further education, so I arranged sponsorship and got her admitted to Baru Sahib Academy. When veterinary doctors were appointed, she was among them.”
Emphasising opportunity creation, the Chief Minister said, “This proves that our children are not lacking, only opportunities are missing, and the state government is now providing these opportunities.” He added, “Earlier leaders like Sukhbir Badal were MLAs and even Deputy Chief Ministers from this region but no real work was done. They deliberately kept people poor so that voters would ask only for small favors during elections. They called this region ‘tail end’, but I consider it the ‘frontline’.”
Criticising past governance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This area has small shopkeepers, traders and farmers. People voted massively for traditional parties in the past, but previous governments looted Punjab. These leaders drained resources like parasites and even today they have no agenda, only hunger for power. They try to outdo each other in abusing me and sending videos to their high command for mercy.”
Outlining achievements, he said, “The state government has provided free electricity to 90% of households, jobs to over 65,000 youth without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily, and is building infrastructure. The tax money of people belongs to the state and we are judiciously spending it on their welfare. People’s money is coming back to them through development, schools, hospitals and roads.”
He added, “Earlier this money was misused due to corruption, but now we have checked these pilferages for the well being of the people and the state.” Highlighting a breakthrough, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government has traced the 22 km long Sarhali Minor canal in the Majha region which was buried underground. This canal is now operational due to the concerted efforts of the state government.”
On irrigation reforms, he said, “Bhakra Canal has a capacity of 9,500 cusec, but due to our efforts supply of 10,000 cusec has been ensured. In that sense, the state has carved out a new Bhakra canal without acquiring even a single inch of land.” He added, “For decades farmers drew water from Ferozepur and Sirhind canals in rotation, but for the first time this system has ended, providing major relief.”
On groundwater recovery, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Groundwater extraction rate has reduced from 61.49% in 2022 to 31.6% in 2025. Groundwater has recharged up to 4 metres in several villages, which is heartening.”
Looking ahead, he said, “This is the result of honest governance and in the coming times we aim to implement underground electricity lines across Punjab. This will make fields cleaner, prevent accidents and ensure better supply. If the pilot succeeds, it will be expanded.”
Reiterating his government’s approach, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “People used to say nothing would change, no jobs, no roads, no development, but we have proven them wrong.”
Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
