Bridge to replace Kishangarh Sukhna Choe causeway in Chandigarh

To ensure smooth flow of traffic during the monsoon season, the UT Administration has planned another high-level bridge over the Sukhna Choe.

According to officials, the UT Engineering Department has decided to construct a high-level bridge/box culvert in the place of the causeway at Kishangarh so that there is no disruption in the normal vehicular movement even in the event of opening of Sukhna floodgates during the rainy season.

The UT Engineering Department has already decided to construct a four-lane elevated bridge to replace the causeway on the Sukhna Choe near Bapu Dham Colony in Sector 26.

For the Kishangarh bridge, the department has started the process to hire a consultant to carry out a topographical survey, hydraulic analysis, collection of data from irrigation department, geotechnical investigation, preparation of detailed project report, detailed structural design and preparation of good for construction drawings. The firm will also prepare detailed cost estimate and documents for inviting bids on item rates, said officials.

The officials said the work on the bridge at Bapu Dham Colony would be started after getting final approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The new bridge will replace the existing low-level causeway, which connects Sector 26 with Sector 13 (Manimajra), IT Park and Mansa Devi Complex (MDC) in Panchkula.

The construction of the bridge will mitigate traffic congestion during the morning and evening hours, as most commuters from the MDC, Manimajra and Panchkula prefer this route to go to Haryana Secretariat, Punjab and Haryana High Court, etc. The bridge witnesses heavy traffic during the rush hour.

In July 2023, water released from Sukhna Lake had caused a severe damage to both the causeways, which serve as an alternative route for Chandigarh-bound commuters from Manimajra, Kishangarh and Panchkula. Both the causeways had remained closed for five days then.

During monsoon this year, the causeways had to be closed after the release of water from the lake. The closure resulted in long traffic jams on the Madhya Marg. The proposed four-lane bridge near Bapu Dham Colony will be constructed at a higher level to avoid such a situation during monsoon when excessive water is released from the lake.

The officials said both the projects were crucial for maintaining uninterrupted connectivity between Chandigarh and IT Park, Sector 13, Kishangarh and Mansa Devi Complex during the rainy season.