Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has given assurances to begin work on the Ferozepur bypass and the Ferozepur-Sri Muktsar Sahib-Malout Road in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Thursday.
A Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) delegation led by Badal met Gadkari in Delhi and impressed upon him the need to begin work on the two projects, the party said in a statement.
Badal said even though the Ferozepur bypass had been sanctioned, the project was still awaiting clearance from the Defence ministry.
He added that he had requested Gadkari to take up the issue with the Defence ministry earlier as well.
"Mr Gadkari assured us today that all clearances had been secured and work on the bypass, which will remove traffic congestion in the city, will start soon," said Badal.
Gadkari also assured Badal that the Ferozpur-Sri Muktsar Sahib-Malout Road would be taken up for upgradation.
The condition of the road -- the only link between Ferozepur and Amritsar -- has been poor for a long time and there is a huge demand to upgrade it, Badal added.
The SAD delegation also included Kanwarjit Singh Barkandi, Joginder Singh Jindu, Vardev Singh Mann and Harpreet Singh.
