DW BUREAU / LUDHIANA The Punjab government has undertaken a slew of major infrastructure development projects worth Rs 11,493.89 crore in Ludhiana district with an aim to convert the industrial hub of the state into a smart and ultra-modern city, said Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, in Ludhiana on Saturday. She was reviewing the progress of major development works during a meeting with the district administration officials. She said a 24x7 surface water supply project was being executed at a cost of Rs 3,383.89 crore, for which the land has been identified and an amount of Rs 38 crore has already been released. Land registration process should be completed by August 31, she asked. Mahajan said the land acquisition process for the construction of new national highways -- Delhi-Katra expressway, four-laning of Talwandi Bhai to Ferozepur, Ludhiana-Talwandi NH-95, Kharar-Ludhiana and Ladhowal bypass with a total cost of Rs 5,700 crore should be completed by October 15. In order to give relief to the people from pollution of Budha Nullah, a seasonal tributary of the Sutlej flowing through Ludhiana, the Chief Secretary said the rejuvenation of the Budha Nullah at a cost of Rs 650 crore was going on in full swing and this project would be completed by December next year. She said the construction of the international airport at Halwara would be completed by January next to improve the air connectivity of the industrial city, also known as Manchester of India, besides bringing investment and jobs for the district. To bolster the industrial sector and create jobs, Mahajan desired that the upcoming hi-tech cycle valley at Dhanansu village should be made fully operational by February next. The valley has already attracted prominent industry players such as Hero Cycles, Aditya Birla Group and JK Paper Limited. Hero Cycles Limited has already set up their anchor unit with a production capacity of 4 million bicycles per annum, especially e-bikes and premium bikes. Similarly, Aditya Birla Group has proposed to invest around Rs 1,000 crore in the hi-tech valley. The Chief Secretary informed that two new Government Degree Colleges at Burj Hari Singh village in Raikot and Jamalpur area of Ludhiana city were coming up and both should be ready by October this year. (editor@dailyworld.in)