*Punjab Recognised as a “Leader State” in Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024: Sanjeev Arora*

Chandigarh, January 17, 2026:Punjab has been recognised as a “Leader State” in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, released by NITI Aayog, informed Sanjeev Arora, Cabinet Minister for Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power, Local Government Punjab.

The Export Preparedness Index (EPI) is a comprehensive, data-driven framework developed by NITI Aayog to assess the export readiness of Indian States and Union Territories. It evaluates performance across four key pillars—Policy Framework, Business Environment, Export Ecosystem, and Export Performance—using more than 70 indicators, including institutional capacity, R&D infrastructure, logistics, and transport connectivity. The index promotes competitive federalism while enabling states to identify strategic areas for enhancing global trade competitiveness.

The EPI 2024 report was released by BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, and Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog, who lauded Punjab for its notable gains in this year’s assessment, reflecting strengthened policy support, infrastructure development, and a growing export ecosystem.

*A Remarkable Ascent for Punjab*

The Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora highlighted that Punjab has secured the 2nd position among Landlocked States in EPI-2024 and has been categorised as a “Leader State.” This achievement is especially significant as five of the top seven ranked states are coastal states with inherent access to seaports.

Despite being landlocked, Punjab’s rise into the top tier underscores the State’s success in overcoming logistical challenges through focused policy interventions, strong internal connectivity, and sustained infrastructure upgrades.

*Drivers of Success: Policy Reforms and Governance*

Shri Sanjeev Arora emphasised that EPI-2024 places renewed focus on policy implementation, administrative reforms, and outcome-based performance, offering a realistic reflection of a state’s industrial and export health. Punjab’s advancement is a direct outcome of:

Progressive, sector-specific industrial policies for textiles, agri-processing, manufacturing, and allied sectors.

Ease of Doing Business reforms, including simplified regulatory approvals and lifecycle facilitation.

A resilient export ecosystem, supporting MSMEs as well as large-scale exporters

Institutional strengthening and logistics facilitation, enabling competitiveness despite geographical constraints.

He further noted that Punjab has consistently earned national recognition, including being ranked among Top Achievers in Ease of Doing Business 2024 and winning Gold in the State Category at the ODOP Awards 2024, reflecting the State’s business-friendly and reform-oriented governance.

The Cabinet Minister reaffirmed the Government of Punjab’s commitment to deepening these reforms and strengthening export-oriented infrastructure, ensuring that Punjab continues to play a pivotal role in India’s journey towards becoming a global export powerhouse.

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*Bus terminals in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Patiala and Bathinda to be upgraded through a structured PPP model: Laljit Singh Bhullar*

*Terminals to serve as vital hubs for rural & urban populace with increase in inter State connectivity: Laljit Singh Bhullar*

*Punjab Govt approves modernisation of bus terminals in five districts to strengthen public transport infrastructure*

CHANDIGARH, 17th January 2026:The Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved a comprehensive plan to modernise major bus terminals across the state, marking a significant step towards improving public transport infrastructure and passenger convenience.

Bus terminals in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Patiala and Bathinda will be upgraded through a structured Public Private Partnership model, revealed the Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar who also underlined the objective of enhancing efficiency, safety, accessibility and overall service delivery.

These bus terminals serve as vital transport hubs for both rural and urban populations, facilitating daily travel for workers, students, traders, tourists and industrial labourers.

Divulging further, the Minister outlined that the terminals also play a key role in inter-state connectivity, supporting passenger movement to neighbouring states including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Besides, the Ludhiana and Jalandhar bus terminals handle between 75,000 to one lakh passengers every day, while Patiala and Bathinda witness footfalls of around 50,000 passengers daily, highlighting the critical importance of these facilities in Punjab’s mobility ecosystem.

From Bathinda in the west to Jalandhar in the Doaba region, from Ludhiana to Sangrur and Patiala in Malwa, we are upgrading bus terminals where citizens of Punjab already travel every day, said the Minister

Through the PPP model, these five terminals will get better facilities, safer spaces and modern amenities without disrupting people’s daily routines. This is development that reaches every region of Punjab and improves ordinary journeys for workers, students and families.

The modernisation initiative is designed to address long-standing infrastructure gaps, operational inefficiencies and inadequate passenger facilities at existing bus terminals. The projects will be implemented using Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer or Build-Operate-Transfer models, ensuring sustainability, quality services, improved ease of movement and better integration with urban transport systems, while maintaining fiscal prudence for the state.

As part of the planned upgrades, the focus will be on improving passenger amenities and operational management. This includes better waiting areas, upgraded sanitation facilities, improved lighting and signage, organised boarding arrangements and structured parking systems. Special attention will be given to circulation, safety and crowd management to ensure smoother operations during peak hours and high passenger volumes.

The project also places strong emphasis on inclusivity. Provisions for barrier-free access and ease of movement will be incorporated to cater to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, ensuring that public transport infrastructure is accessible and dignified for all sections of society.

Revealing more, Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar stated, "In addition to their transport role, the modernised bus terminals will be developed as integrated urban hubs. Subject to applicable regulations and planning norms, the terminal complexes will accommodate commercial and service activities such as retail outlets, offices, co-working spaces and logistics support facilities. This integrated approach is expected to enhance passenger convenience, generate economic activity and contribute to the long-term financial sustainability of the terminals.”

“Through this initiative, the Punjab Government aims to significantly upgrade everyday public infrastructure, improve the daily travel experience of lakhs of citizens and set a new benchmark for modern, efficient and people-centric bus terminals in the state,” added the Transport Minister.

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*PUNJAB STEPS UP POTASH EXPLORATION TO CUT INDIA'S IMPORT DEPENDENCE*

*BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL CHAIRS HIGH LEVEL REVIEW MEETING WITH GSI AND STATE OFFICERS*

*REVIEW OF COMPLETED BLOCKS AND ONGOING DRILLING DURING FIELD SEASON 2025-26*

*STATUS OF G4 EXPLORATION AND COMPOSITE LICENCE AUCTION PROCESS ASSESSED*

*GSI PRESENTS PROGRESS AND FUTURE ROADMAP FOR FAZILKA AND SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB*

*PROPOSED RECONNAISSANCE AND PRELIMINARY EXPLORATION FOR FIELD SEASON 2026-27*

*GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY OF EVAPORITE BASIN LEADS TO IDENTIFICATION OF NEW EXPLORATION AREAS*

*MINISTER DIRECTS EXPEDITED FIELD WORK AND MONTHLY REVIEWS FOR TIMELY OUTPUT*

*POTASH CRUCIAL FOR AGRICULTURE FARMERS AND STATE ECONOMY: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*

*Chandigarh, January 17:*With the objective of fast tracking potash exploration in the State and addressing India’s heavy reliance on imported Potash, Punjab Government has intensified efforts to strengthen domestic mineral resources critical for agriculture. The high level review meeting was convened to take stock of progress identify future priorities and firm up timelines for exploration across key potash bearing regions of Punjab.

Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal chaired the meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat here with senior officers of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) which included Deputy Director General (Punjab Himachal and Haryana) Smt. Shrimati Gupta, Directors Smt. Sushree Mishra and Smt. Aprajeeta Bhatacharji and officers of the Department of Mines and Geology Punjab Chief Engineer S. Hardeep Singh Mehndiratta and Assistant Geologist Sh. Paras Mahajan.

The meeting reviewed the status of completed exploration blocks ongoing drilling activities during Field Season 2025-26 and proposed reconnaissance and preliminary exploration programmes for Field Season 2026-27 with special focus on Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts where significant potash potential has been identified.

Briefing the Minister, the GSI informed that G4 stage exploration has been completed in Qabarwala Block and Shergarh-Dalmirkhera Block, with geological memorandums already handed over to the State Government. Following State consent, an amalgamated Shergarh-Sherawala-Ramsara-Dalmirkhera block has been put to auction for Composite Licence in the sixth tranche by the Ministry of Mines, with results awaited. It was further shared that drilling is underway in Rajpura-Rajawali Block and Gidranwali-Azimgarh Block at six sites, of which five have been completed and final reports are expected by April after chemical analysis.

For the upcoming Field Season 2026-27, GSI proposed reconnaissance surveys in Kera-Khera Block and Saiyadwala Block of Fazilka district, along with preliminary exploration in Kandhwala-Ramsra Block, covering fifteen drilling sites.

Responding to the Minister’s query on full basin coverage, the officers of the GSI informed that the entire evaporite basin of Punjab is being surveyed through geophysical methods and an area of about fifty square kilometre has already been identified for detailed exploration, for which Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited will submit a project to the Ministry.

Appreciating the sustained and scientific efforts, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal directed that all ongoing drilling and mapping work during Field Season 2025-26 be expedited and proposed blocks for 2026-27 be completed strictly on schedule. He also directed monthly review meetings between the Department of Mines and Geology Punjab and GSI to ensure close monitoring and timely handover of additional promising blocks, besides planning future feasibility studies for mining.

Highlighting the larger public interest, the Minister said, “Potash is a critical input for agriculture and today India imports nearly 99 percent of its requirement. Any success in potash exploration and future production in Punjab will directly benefit our farmers, strengthen national food security and give a major push to the State and national economy. Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is fully committed to supporting every scientific effort that helps the country move towards self-reliance in this vital mineral.”

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*VALOUR AND SACRIFICE OF NAMDHARI SECT TO BE REMEMBERED FOREVER: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN*

*PUNJAB GOVT COMMITTED TO EVERY POSSIBLE SERVICE OF NAMDHARI SECT*

*STATE LEVEL MARTYRDOM FUNCTION HELD IN MEMORY OF 66 NAMDHARI MARTYRS*

*Chandigarh/Malerkotla, January 17:*The sacrifices of the Namdhari sect for the cause of India’s freedom, protection of faith and upholding of human values will remain etched in golden letters in the annals of Indian history, said Punjab Cabinet Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, while addressing the state level martyrdom function organised at the Namdhari Shaheedi Memorial, Malerkotla, in memory of 66 Namdhari martyrs.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Namdhari sect stands as a living example of simplicity, truthfulness, humility and sacrifice. He said the path shown by Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji gave a new direction to the country’s freedom movement. He added that history bears testimony to the fact that the spark of awareness against British rule rose from this sacred land of Malerkotla.

He said, the valour and sacrifice of the 66 Namdhari martyr Singhs were not limited to any one religious sect but formed the foundation of the national struggle for independence. These sacrifices continue to serve as a source of inspiration for the present generation to move forward on the path of truth, integrity and service to the nation.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will fulfil every directive and service entrusted to it with humility and commitment. He urged the sangat to follow the path shown by the Gurus and the Namdhari sect and to contribute meaningfully towards rebuilding a Rangla Punjab.

The function was organised under the patronage of Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, during which MLA Amargarh Prof. Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra and Namdhari Surinder Singh also addressed the gathering. The sangat paid floral tributes to the 66 Namdhari martyrs and took pledge to follow the path shown by them.

Prominent amongst others who were present included MLA Dr. Jameel Ur Rahman, MLA Samrala Jagtar Singh Dialpura, Deputy Commissioner Viraj S. Tirkey, SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, ADC Navreet Kaur Sekhon, SP Satpal Sharma and SDM Gurmeet Kumar Bansal.