The Punjab Government is proposing to hand over the beautification, maintenance and operation of several major roads and junctions in Mohali to private parties for 10 years at Rs 10 crore per km.The unprecedented proposed expenditure has raised several eyebrows. This is the first time that the maintenance of public roads is being outsourced, that too for a period which may outlive the life of the government.Under the Mohali Next Generation Roads Programme, 83.4 km of major roads and junctions across the city are proposed to be handed over to private concessionaires at a cost of Rs 783.46 crore, translating to nearly Rs 10 crore per kilometre, for upgrade, resurfacing, beautification, operation and maintenance over a 10-year concession period.The roads included in the project fall under the jurisdiction of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and the Municipal Corporation (MC).GMADA has floated e-tenders to appoint a concessionaire under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Under this arrangement, the concessionaire will be responsible for designing, developing, upgrading, resurfacing and maintaining the identified road stretches and junctions for a decade.A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) will assist GMADA in implementation, oversight and monitoring throughout the project lifecycle. A joint inventory of the site, including existing roads, shoulders, drains, trees, signage, utilities and immovable structures, will also be prepared by GMADA’s representative and the concessionaire.This inventory will form the basis for the detailed designs to be prepared by the concessionaire and approved by the authority. No additional land acquisition is proposed, and the existing right of way ranges from 23 metres to 60 metres.The announcement of the project has led to widespread questioning over the cost and duration of the concession. Author, actor and director Amitoj Mann asked how such a high expenditure could be justified for upgrading existing roads. Mann, who was active during the 2020 farm protests and is currently among those leading a public movement against pollution in the Buddha Nullah, said the project required greater public explanation and accountability.Project officials, however, have dismissed the criticism and maintained that the concerns were misplaced. They said the roads selected under the programme were among the most heavily used and critical corridors of Mohali and that the project went beyond routine repairs.According to officials, the scope includes comprehensive upgrade, resurfacing, drainage works, junction improvements and beautification, along with long-term maintenance. They added that under the concession agreement, any wear and tear or repair required during the 10-year period would entirely be the responsibility of the concessionaire, ensuring consistent upkeep. As per Schedule B of the RFP, the project will be executed in multiple phases, covering some of the busiest arterial and connector roads of Mohali.According to GMADA officials, e-tenders for the scheme have already been floated. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for January 19, while online bids can be submitted till February 2. Technical bids will be opened on February 2, and the date for opening financial bids will be decided after evaluation of the technical bids. Officials said the project is subject to amendment based on inputs received during the pre-bid consultation process.GMADA maintains that the Mohali Next Generation Roads Programme is aimed at structured upgrade and long-term maintenance of key city roads through private participation, with execution and upkeep carried out under the authority’s supervision.