The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of prolific writer, thinker and public intellectual Shri Balbir Punj.

Shri Modi said that Shri Balbir Punj Ji was a prolific writer, thinker and public intellectual who made a rich contribution to the world of media. His writings were widely read and reflected his strong passion towards national regeneration. He noted that Shri Punj’s Parliamentary interventions were rich in facts and theory.

The Prime Minister wrote on X;

“Shri Balbir Punj Ji was a prolific writer, thinker and public intellectual. He made a rich contribution to the world of media. His writings were widely read, reflecting his strong passion towards national regeneration. His Parliamentary interventions were rich in facts and theory.

Shri Balbir Punj Ji worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP, especially among students, professionals, scholars and intellectuals. He was in-charge of various states, including Gujarat. Fondly remember our interactions from those times. Pained by his passing. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”

“बलबीर पुंज जी एक प्रसिद्ध लेखक होने के साथ-साथ प्रखर विचारक और सम्मानित बुद्धिजीवी थे। मीडिया के क्षेत्र में उनका योगदान बहुत सराहनीय रहा है। लोग उनकी लेखनी के कायल थे, जिससे राष्ट्र निर्माण के प्रति उनकी गहरी प्रतिबद्धता परिलक्षित होती थी । उनके संसदीय भाषणों में तथ्यों और मानवीय मूल्यों का भरपूर समावेश रहता था।

बलबीर पुंज जी ने भाजपा को सशक्त बनाने के लिए अथक प्रयास किए। विद्यार्थियों, पेशेवरों, विद्वतजनों और बुद्धिजीवियों को उन्होंने पार्टी से जोड़ने में उल्लेखनीय भूमिका निभाई। वे गुजरात सहित कई राज्यों के प्रभारी रहे। उस दौर में उनसे हुए संवाद मेरे लिए अविस्मरणीय रहेंगे। उनके निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। शोक की इस घड़ी में उनके परिजनों और मित्रों के प्रति मेरी हार्दिक संवेदनाएं। ओम शांति!”

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Cabinet approves road widening projects in Telangana worth Rs.7597.16 crore
June 03, 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved the widening of the existing Armoor-Jagtial-Mancherial Section of National Highway (NH)-63 on Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and Jagtial-Karimnagar Section of National Highway (NH)-563 on Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) [BOT (Toll)] to the 4-lane standard under three work packages with a combined total length of 190.76 km and combined total capital cost of Rs.7597.16 crore.

The project section of Armoor-Jagtial-Mancherial passes through Nizamabad, Jagtial, and Mancherial Districts of Telangana, facing severe congestion at present due to several built-up areas along the highway, such as, Anksapoor, Korutla, Jagtial, Dharmapuri, Lakshettipet and Mancherial. Similarly, the Jagtial- Karimnagar section passes through severely congested and heavily built-up places along the stretch, such as, Jagtial, Potharam, Gangadhara and Karimnagar.

The instant projects are proposed to have a 4-lane configuration with bypasses to built-up areas with open tolling, ensuring design speed of 100 km/hour and improved travel efficiency across the Districts of Nizamabad, Jagtial, Mancherial and Karimnagar in the State of Telangana. The project will also enhance regional mobility and promote socio-economic development.

The projects are in line with the PM GatiShakti principles and will connect five Economic Nodes, seven Social Nodes and ten Logistic Nodes. This will have a positive impact on the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) of the country.

Upon completion, travel time is expected to reduce by about 1 hour and 30 minutes between Armoor and Mancherial and by about 45 minutes between Jagtial and Karimnagar, while providing safe, fast, and uninterrupted connectivity for both passenger and freight traffic. Additionally, the project will result in substantial reductions in fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and vehicle operating costs (VOC).

Map of Corridor

Appendix - I: Project Details

Description

Armoor- Jagtial Section of NH-63

Jagtial Mancherial Section of NH-63

Jagtial- Karimnagar Section of NH-563

Length (km)

63.600

68.295

58.866

Brownfield length (Km)

17.95

2.05

24.14

Greenfield Length (Km)

45.65

66.10

34.96

Total Civil Cost (Rs Cr.)

1266.58

1477.17

1455.01

Land and other Pre-construction Cost (Rs Cr.)

504.26

436.93

394.53

Total Capital Cost (Rs Cr.)

2471.76

2730.72

2394.68

Mode

Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)

Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)

Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) [BOT (Toll)]

Total Concession Period

17.5 years (2.5 years construction + 15 years O&M)

17.5 years (2.5 years construction + 15 years O&M)

20 years (including 2.5 years construction)

Economic / Social Nodes

Economic Nodes:  2 SEZ- Siddipet, Warangal Urban; Mega Food Parks- Nizamabad, Siddipet; Fishing Seafood Cluster- Rajanna Sircilla.

Social Nodes: Vemulawada, Kondagattu, Nagunur Fort, Dharmapuri, Kaleshwaram, Lower Mannair Dam, Quila Fort.

Logistic Nodes

Railway Stations: Nizamabad, Lingampet/ jagtial, peddapalli, Korutla, Mancherial,

 

Railway Stations:, Lingampet/ Jagtial, Poddur, Gangadhara, Karimnagar,

 

Employment Generation Potential

34.43 Lakhs Man-Days (direct) & 42.7 lakh Man-Days (indirect)

Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) in FY-2024-25

14,949 PCU/day

12,084 PCU/day

20,446 PCU/day