chandigarh/jalandhar 18 July 2025 : to promote a cleaner and greener environment, punjab’s forest and wildlife preservation minister lal chand kataruchakk announced a pilot project to plant flowering plants along both sides of the highways.
a state-level special committee will oversee and periodically review the progress of this project. in its initial phase, the project will be implemented in five districts:
- ropar (specifically around sri anandpur sahib)
- shaheed bhagat singh nagar (especially around shaheed bhagat singh’s ancestral village khatkar kalan)
- sangrur
- pathankot
- amritsar
under this project, flowering plants with heights of 5, 6, and 7 feet will be planted on both sides of the highways up to 500 meters in the selected districts.
speaking to the media at punjab bhawan, the minister emphasized the importance of proper monitoring to ensure the plants grow well and are well-maintained. additionally, fencing will be installed to protect the plants from stray animals.
he also highlighted that the project will create new employment opportunities for people working under mgnrega.
Summary:
Punjab government approved housing and urban development projects across five districts—Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Mohali, and Patiala—acquiring 5,000 acres for residential, commercial, and institutional plots.