Chandigarh, Nov. 1 -- Ramping up the ongoing fight against the deep-rooted drug menace, the Punjab cabinet on Saturday approved the establishment of 35 exclusive special NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) courts across the state to fast-track trials and clear a backlog of 52,577 cases.

A decision to this effect was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann.

An official statement from the Chief Minister's Office said Punjab is facing a serious challenge of drug trafficking and abuse, with approximately 20,000 NDPS cases registered and around 27,000 arrests made annually in the state.

"Of these, approximately 12,000 cases are tried by sessions courts, while only around 5,700...