Manpreet yet to release grant for railway overbridge

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, February 4

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, who had announced on January 14 during his visit here on Maghi Mela about releasing the first instalment for the construction of this historic town’s maiden railway overbridge (RoB) on January 15, has so far failed to keep his word.

Some Congress leaders have now decided to go to Chandigarh to remind him about his promise.

The foundation stone of this much-awaited RoB on Jalalabad road was laid in 2014 by the then Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. However, the work has not started till date.

This RoB will give a major respite to commuters as the Muktsar-Jalalabad road remains always busy.

Manpreet’s announcement of releasing the grant had brought a smile on the faces of local denizens. The Railway Over Bridge Sangharsh Committee had welcomed this announcement.

SS Bedi, Executive Engineer, PWD (B&R), said, “Though the Finance Minister had assured to release the first instalment of RoB funds on January 15, we have not received the money till today.” The SDO concerned too said that the funds were yet to reach him.

A Congress leader said, “We will soon meet the Finance Minister to remind him of his promise made during Maghi Mela. We are sure that he will release the funds shortly.”

Manpreet had also announced that the state government had implemented 125 of the total 428 points made in the poll manifesto. But the SAD had criticised him for giving a “wrong statement to befool the people”.