Bhuntar Bailey bridge to be closed to traffic from today

The Bhuntar Bailey bridge will be closed to traffic from December 20 to facilitate the construction of a 40.60-metre double-lane RCC bridge over the Beas. The new bridge aims to replace the single-lane Bailey bridge, which has long been a bottleneck for commuters. The dismantling of the existing Bailey bridge and the construction of the new one will be undertaken by the same company. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for the Rs 4.56 crore project on October 19, with the Public Works Department (PWD) targeting a six-month completion timeframe.

The Bailey bridge, connecting Bhuntar town with Parla Bhuntar, has served as a critical link for the farmers and residents of the Parbati Valley. It was originally built as a temporary measure after the approach road to the existing truss bridge was washed away during the 1995 floods. Since then, the bridge has undergone numerous repairs, with crores spent on maintenance.

In 2008, the Bailey bridge was severely damaged by a truck carrying heavy machinery, necessitating the construction of a smaller replacement. In December 2017, a new Bailey bridge with a higher load capacity was installed, but it also required frequent repairs. The bridge’s abutment was damaged during a disaster on July 10 last year and repaired after 20 days. Heavy vehicle movement has caused the bridge to tilt over time, making it unsafe for such traffic.

The single-lane Bailey bridge has been a source of frustration for commuters, often resulting in long traffic jams during peak hours. Its closure to heavy vehicles has forced farmers from the Parbati Valley to travel an additional 10 km via Bajaura to transport their produce to the Bhuntar Marketing Yard. Additionally, commuters have had to walk nearly 2 km from Bhuntar bus stand to access buses at Hathithan and Traihan Chowk in Parla Bhuntar.

Assistant Engineer (SDO) of Bhuntar PWD, Dushyant Pal, confirmed that dismantling work will begin on December 20, with efforts underway to complete the project within the six-month target or earlier.

The new double-lane RCC bridge is expected to provide a permanent solution to the traffic woes, easing travel for locals and ensuring smoother transportation of goods.