Work on 4 bridges over Sidhwan Canal to start soon: MP Arora

Ludhiana, May 17, 2023: The work to construct four bridges over the Sidhwan Canal near the Ladhowal bypass here, is about to begin in the near future as tender for the same has already been floated. The estimated cost of this project is around Rs 19 crore.

The four bridges are to be constructed from 300 meters away from F2 Raceway bridge (both on right and left sides) and 300 meters away from Barewal bridge (both on right and left sides). The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is to construct these bridges. The tender has been floated after the NHAI gave its approval and prepared the detailed project report after conducting a feasibility and alignment survey. 

Giving this information here today, Sanjeev Arora, MP (Rajya Sabha) said he is delighted to note that finally, his concerted efforts are about to show the results. Many Ludhiana residents had approached him to take an initiative to get this project started as it was the need of the hour to provide a relief to commuters from traffic congestions. Acceding to this demand, Arora took this matter with the NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav who on his request accorded his consent to the project.

Arora reviewed the progress of this project with Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik and the NHAI officials concerned, here recently. Expressing his satisfaction over the ongoing work, he said it is good that the work is going on speedily. The project had got in-principle approval from the NHAI headquarters in March this year. And within a few months, tender has been floated. He said nine bids have been received, adding that these bids are being examined. The most eligible bid would be awarded the project within the next 15 days, he added.

He hoped that the bridges once constructed would decongest huge traffic congestion in the South City area. It may be mentioned here that a large number of commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants etc are coming up on both sides of the Sidhwan Canal besides housing complexes. As a result, commercial and other activities are growing at a fast pace in this area, resulting to which traffic has increased manifold. 

Earlier, the Sherpur Chowk railway over bridge (ROB) was opened for traffic in March after its construction was completed with the initiative of Arora. Arora is also pursuing early and timely completion of the ongoing work on the elevated road project in the city. “There will be a drastic change in the city traffic once the work of constructing four bridges over the Sidhwan Canal and the elevated road project are completed”, said Arora, and hoped that the scenes of traffic congestion would become a part of the history.