Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday launched a sweeping development push in Amritsar’s Attari constituency, announcing ₹57.80 crore for the overhaul of 121 roads spanning 137 km, while asserting that areas long neglected despite their strategic location along the Pakistan border will now see focused investment, improved connectivity, and renewed economic activity.
Positioning the initiative alongside broader governance and border reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government is simultaneously working to unlock lakhs of acres through border fencing realignment, eliminate the drug menace from its roots, and steer Punjab toward a decisive development mandate in 2027.
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab witnessed a black era before our government came to power when the drug trade ruled the roost in Punjab. Those who were in power misused their authority to bloom the drug trade in the state by patronising this menace. The vehicles of the state government were used to supply drugs from one part of the state to another during those black days.”
The Chief Minister said, “These leaders have sown thorns before Punjab and its younger generations by derailing the progress and prosperity of the state. The hands of these leaders are drenched with this crime against the state and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab. These parties destroyed generations of the state by infusing drugs in their veins for which they can never be forgiven. It is ironic that those who are responsible for destroying Punjab with drugs are now making hollow claims to befool the people.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “These governments never bothered about the state and people and had ruined the system due to which youth wanted to move abroad. The AAP Government made strenuous efforts to ensure that the menace of drugs was removed from the state. The scourge of drugs was a blot on the face of the state and it took more than two years for the AAP Government to chalk out a strategy for wiping out this curse.”
He said, “The AAP Government launched the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign as a part of which the supply line of drugs has been snapped and drug smugglers involved in this heinous crime have been put behind the bars. The curse of drugs is being wiped out at micro level with the active support and cooperation of the general public and this campaign has been transformed into a mass movement with the help of the common masses. The AAP Government has broken the backbone of drug trade by putting the big fishes involved in this heinous crime behind the bars and tightening the noose around the drug smugglers.”
Taking a jibe, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The real name of the Akali Dal’s so-called ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’ is ‘Parivar Bachao Yatra’. After looting the state for 15 years, from whom are they trying to save Punjab? People had elected Akalis but they proved to be traitors and had always backstabbed the state and its people. When the entire farming community was fighting for their rights, the Akalis had supported the Modi Government on draconian farm laws just for saving their berth in the Union Ministry.”
He said, “Akalis had misused religion for their vested political interests due to which they cannot be forgiven by the people. The people will never forgive the Akalis for their sins and will teach them a befitting lesson again. People had elected Akalis time and again but they proved to be traitors and had always backstabbed the state and its people.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This pious land has produced saints, seers, martyrs, legendary players and generals but unfortunately under the patronisation of earlier governments the smugglers, gangsters and other criminals made this state their abode. Those responsible for the pyres of youth will be held accountable and they will have to pay for their sins. These leaders who ruined generations of the state will have to pay the price of their sins and the AAP Government will ensure that they get exemplary punishment for their misdeeds.”
He said, “Everyone knows that this family was a stooge of the Britishers and was conferred the title of Sir by them for hobnobbing against the patriots who fought for the country. The family had feted General Dyer, the perpetrator of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, by hosting a dinner for him after this heinous incident. Such acts have always exposed their anti-national and anti-Punjab mindset and character.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “Not only this, the family also ensured that General Dyer was bestowed siropa and forgiveness at Golden Temple. History cannot be wiped out and the dubious characters of Badal’s ancestors are etched on the pages of history. The hands of this family are drenched with the blood of the patriots and the role of these traitors in backstabbing the nationalists can never be forgotten.”
He said, “In the ensuing elections of the state assembly slated in 2027, people will have the option to select three pens. The first pen is Congress with red ink which symbolises the attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib, the riots of 1984 and other anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab stances. The second pen is of Akalis which has only one ink which has conducted desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. The third pen is that of AAP which is transforming Punjab into Rangla Punjab by taking path breaking initiatives every passing day.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The AAP Government has taken several pro-people initiatives in every sector due to which complete transformation has been witnessed. The tax money of people belongs to the state and it is being judiciously spent on the welfare of the people. People’s money is coming back to people through development, schools, hospitals and roads.”
He added, “The AAP Government has provided free electricity to 90% of households, government jobs to over 65,000 youth without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily, and is building infrastructure. When the AAP Government assumed office, only 22% canal water was being used for irrigation. Today, 71% canal water is being used and it will be enhanced to 90% by the coming paddy season.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has been launched under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh and over 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards. Around 1.65 lakh people have received free treatment under this scheme and people must take maximum benefit of these cards.”
He said, “For the first time in the history of the state, more than eight hours of uninterrupted power has been supplied to farm tube wells during the paddy season. Farmers are now receiving electricity during the daytime for irrigation for the first time, which has transformed their lives.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “Our Government is judiciously utilising every single penny of the state exchequer for the well-being of the people. Under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, ₹1000 per month is being given to other category women and ₹1500 to SC category women above 18 years.”
He said, “The AAP Government has embarked on a major programme for repair of link roads across the state. There are 43,000 kilometres of link roads in Punjab and a project has been launched for their repair and upgradation. Along with repair, their maintenance will also be carried out for the next five years.”
Reiterating, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The tax money of people belongs to the state and it is being spent on their welfare. The taxpayers’ money is coming back to people through development, schools, hospitals and roads. Though the AAP Government has fulfilled all its guarantees, efforts for further progress will continue. While on other political stages claims are made for grabbing power, from this stage we talk about education, health, power, agriculture and overall development.”
Highlighting relief for border farmers, he said, “Due to the concerted efforts of the AAP Government, the Government of India has ordered the shifting of fencing to within 300 metres of the international border, giving major relief to farmers. This will allow cultivation on lakhs of acres of land without restrictions.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “Farmers in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur will benefit immensely. SDMs have been directed to conduct surveys so that the 300-metre area can be properly demarcated for timely implementation of this decision.”
