Overbridge opens, accident on Day 1

Gagandeep Sharma & Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 14

The much-awaited Rampura-Phul railway overbridge (ROB) was partially opened to traffic from both sides today, bringing in relief to the commuters on the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway. However, the opening was marred by an accident on the very first day.

Two persons were seriously injured when a speeding bus hit a motorcycle. Three persons were riding the motorcycle.

They were referred to a private hospital at Bhucho. The Nathana police have started investigation. The bus driver managed to escape after the mishap.

The injured have been identified as Malkeet Singh and Angrej Singh, both residents of Lehra Dhoorkot village.

According to sources, the accident occurred when the bus driver attempted to turn towards the service road and hit the motorcycle.

Investigating officer Gurdeep Singh said the injured were not in a position to talk and their statements would be recorded tomorrow.

The construction work on the bridge had started several months ago. The commuters had a tough time crossing the stretch when the work was under way, causing delay in their journey.

Besides, residents of nearby villages also had to bear the brunt. Gill Kalan village residents claimed that it had become very difficult for them to even travel by light vehicles on link roads as accidents and huge traffic jams had made their lives miserable.

Baltej Singh, Malwa Zone private bus union convener, said, “Even partial opening of the ROB has provided huge respite to the commuters. Though the authorities had facilitated several alternate routes for the smooth flow of traffic, in the absence of traffic policemen, nobody followed the routes, resulting in traffic snarls daily.”

Central Works XEN Neeraj Bhandari confirmed that they had opened one side of the ROB for traffic from both sides, adding that the other side too would be opened soon.

Injured not in position to record statement

• According to sources, the accident occurred when the bus driver attempted to turn towards the service road and hit the motorcycle. 
• Investigating officer Gurdeep Singh said the injured were not in a position to talk and their statements would be recorded on Thursday.