Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government has launched the ‘CM Flying Squad’ with the aim of bringing about historical improvements in the state’s road infrastructure. This initiative, which began in October 2025, is part of a massive ₹16,209 crore plan for the construction of 44,920 km of roads. Its purpose is to ensure transparency, quality, and accountability in road construction. This move is considered crucial for addressing the problems caused by poor roads in rural areas.
The main objective of establishing the CM Flying Squad is to ensure that no negligence in road construction work is tolerated. The government has given clear instructions that if a road is found to be of substandard quality or if maintenance is not carried out on time, the concerned contractor will be immediately blacklisted. Furthermore, every contractor has been assigned the responsibility of maintaining and repairing the road for 5 years to ensure the roads remain safe and durable for a longer period. Punjab’s model is being seen as an example in states like Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, where road projects are often affected by delays and poor quality.
The Flying Squad, constituted by the government, comprises senior officials from the Punjab Mandi Board and the Public Works Department, who are conducting surprise inspections in various districts to check the quality of construction. It is keeping a strict vigil, especially on the ₹3,425 crore rural link road project. Wherever poor construction work was found, the contractors’ contracts were immediately cancelled. The rule of issuing payments only after the satisfaction of the Panchayats is encouraging contractors to work responsibly.
Inspections conducted so far in seven districts have revealed a significant improvement in road quality. The actions of the Flying Squad have sent a clear message to contractors—failure to fulfill maintenance responsibility will result in blacklisting. This has not only improved the quality of construction but also strengthened the rural economy. Farmers, traders, and common citizens are directly benefiting from better connectivity.
Punjab’s strict and transparent model has emerged as an inspiration for those states where corruption and the arbitrariness of contractors in road construction are a common problem. Road maintenance has also been a long-standing challenge in states like Assam, Uttarakhand, and Andhra Pradesh. Punjab has proved that if maintenance is made an essential part of the contract, roads can not only become durable but development can also move forward continuously.
The role of Panchayats is vital in this entire process. Contractors will only receive payment when the Panchayats are satisfied with the work. This policy strengthens local democracy and ensures the direct participation of people in the development process. Access to education, trade, and health services in rural areas is becoming easier due to quality roads.
Ultimately, the CM Flying Squad is a symbol of the Punjab government’s foresight and strong will. This initiative has established new standards of quality in road construction by making contractors fully accountable. With this, Punjab is not only moving towards making its infrastructure world-class, but this strict policy is also taking the state’s development to new heights. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s initiative is certainly establishing Punjab as a leading state.
