Chandigarh, Sept. 5 -- The recent floods in Punjab have caused extensive damage to the state's road infrastructure, with initial estimates putting losses at over Rs.850 crore. According to assessments by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Punjab Mandi Board, nearly 1,200 km of roads have been affected, with rural roads bearing the brunt.

The Mandi Board alone has reported losses worth Rs.450 crore, while the PWD estimates damages at Rs.400 crore. Gurdaspur district has suffered the most, followed by Amritsar and Ferozepur.

Field officers from both departments conducted the preliminary surveys, revealing that most of the damaged stretches are rural roads-critical for village connectivity and transport. "The challenge is enormous, ...