Chandigarh Admn plans four-lane bridge over Sukhna Choe in Sec 26

To ensure normal vehicular movement even during the opening of the Sukhna Lake floodgates, the UT Engineering Department has planned a four-lane bridge across the Sukhna Choe near Bapu Dham Colony in Sector 26. The department has submitted the design of the elevated bridge, which will replace the causeway, to the Urban Planning Department for approval.

According to officials, once the Urban Planning Department clears the design, a proposal, along with the budget estimates, will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for a final approval. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2.50 crore, stated the officials. The Urban Planning Department is likely to give its approval to the design by next month, they added.

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 the Sukhna Lake caused a severe damage to the bridge, which serves as an alternative route for Chandigarh-bound commuters from Manimajra and Panchkula. The bridge had remained closed for five days.

During monsoon this year, the causeway had to be closed after the release of water from the lake. The closure of this link resulted in long traffic jams on the Madhya Marg.

The proposed four-lane bridge will be constructed at a higher level to avoid such a situation during monsoon when excessive water is released from the lake.

The proposed bridge will also feature a pedestrian path and a dedicated cycling track, in alignment with the administration’s emphasis on promoting non-motorised transport.

The officials said the project was crucial to maintaining uninterrupted connectivity between Chandigarh and IT Park, Sector 13, Kishangarh and Mansa Devi Complex during the rainy season.

The officials said the existing bridge near Bapu Dham was too low and it had to be closed whenever water was released from the lake.