Centre allocates Rs 15 crore for state’s longest bridge on Beas

The Union Government has allocated Rs 15 crore to the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) for constructing the state’s longest bridge over the Beas near Pong reservoir in the Fatehpur Assembly constituency in Kangra district.

The 800-metre-long bridge, to be built at a cost of Rs 104 crore under the Setu Bharatam Scheme, will be funded through the Central Roads and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). It will be constructed downstream of Pong Reservoir, connecting Sthana in Fatehpur with Sansarpur-Terrace in Jaswan Pragpur Assembly constituency.

Following the budget allocation, the PWD has floated tenders for the construction of this much-awaited bridge, which will provide uninterrupted interstate connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Currently, residents of Fatehpur, Jawali, Indora, and Jaswan Pragpur constituencies face travel difficulties due to security restrictions around the Pong Dam. The new bridge will significantly ease their movement.

Vinay Kumar, executive engineer of the Fatehpur PWD division, said since the bridge will be built on land belonging to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), the department must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) before commencing construction. “The BBMB has set specific guidelines for the project, and the PWD will adhere to them. Efforts are underway to procure the NOC, and once received, construction will begin and be completed within two years,” he said.

He further emphasised that besides improving road connectivity, the bridge would also help reduce external security threats to the Pong Dam, ensuring both better transport facilities and enhanced regional security.