Amritsar: Expansion of Bhandari overbridge turns reality

Amritsar, February 18

On the last day of campaigning, Pradesh Congress Committee president Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has been contesting from his home turf Amritsar East constituency, has played a masterstroke by facilitating the much sought-after Bhandari Bridge expansion that was opened partially for the public in Amritsar today.

He also took an opportunity to present his ‘Vachan Patar’ in which he has revealed the development projects for his constituency, five years ahead.

Though, the under-construction Bhandari Bridge was opened to public, the connecting road was yet to be completed. Sidhu opened the barricades and directed to open the traffic flow heading towards the GT road and court road.

The revamping of this bridge was one of his dream projects for the holy city that lingered on for long due to political rivalry, since the erstwhile SAD-BJP leadership. While being part of the alliance then, he even took to hunger strike.

“Following this, former CM Parkash Singh Badal has assured to get the project completed, but he stepped back from his promise after one month. During Capt Amarinder’s regime, an amount of Rs 170 crore was sanctioned for five bridges to be constructed for the holy city, but he, too, did the same. The fight was for the ‘credit’. They had negative thinking which hampered the public-oriented development projects. Now, this bridge would be fully completed shortly. For the time being, it was opened to ease the heavy flow of traffic,” he said.

The Bhandari Bridge, which connects the old city areas with the new city, is the main traffic intersection. For the past few years, due to increase in population and vehicular traffic, traffic jams have become a frequent phenomenon at the bridge.

He said another bridge on the Vallah Vegetable market and Jodha phatak railway line, too, would be furnished soon. The flyover on four ‘S’ Chowk could not be furnished due to objections raised by the Archeological Survey of India due to its close proximity with Company Bagh, the reserved site.

Meanwhile, his ‘Vachan Patra’ assured to set up domestic gas pipeline, adequate water supply, widow and old age pension, 66 KV substation, revamping of roads.