Bridge over Bist Doab canal paints a picture of neglect

Ajay Joshi

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 19

The footbridge over the Bist-Doab canal at Nahal village in Basti Danish Manda is a picture of abject neglect. It lies in a dilapidated state and is posing risk to the lives of villagers and local transporters. The authorities have, however, not taken any steps to repair the bridge, which majorly connects the Leather Complex, Gajipur, Chimaira, Nahal and other villages.

As per locals, the bridge was constructed around 60-70 years ago and it started deteriorating since 2009, but no efforts have been made to repair it.

The pillars erected to support the bridge have frequently damaged due to heavy vehicular traffic and it further results in uneven surface. The cracks on the bricks and the cemented area can easily be seen. Bricks have been piled up to provide support to the bridge to prevent any mishap.

Owing to several fatal accidents reported in the past, the bridge was declared unsafe, claimed sarpanch of Nahal village, Yashpal Singh.

He said he had personally approached the area MLA and the authorities concerned several times, but to no avail.

“The confusion still persists whether the B&R Department will revamp the bridge or the Irrigation Department. Moreover, the B&R Department has estimated its reconstruction cost at Rs40 lakh. But we received a grant of Rs4 lakh only for its repair. Besides, the authorities are constantly maintaining that the repair work has been delayed due to the shortage of funds,” the sarpanch said.

Villagers said the bridge had been damaged to such an extent that it could give way anytime. Besides, the absence of railings on either side of this 20-ft-long and 12-ft wide bridge was further posing a risk to lives of hundreds of residents and transporters. “When the water is released into the canal or during the monsoon season, the water level comes up and touches the base of the bridge. The bridge becomes shaky, but even after complaining several times, nothing has been done so far,” said Vikramjit, a resident.

Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, B&R, Nek Chand said, “The tender for the unsafe bridge has been issued and after conducting a meeting with Deputy Commissioner and local MLAs, it was decided that the restoration work of the bridge would be covered under Punjab Urban Environment Improvement Programme. Thereafter, an inspection was conducted by the chief engineer for the estimated funds and report of the same was submitted at the Chandigarh head office. Now, we are waiting for the approval from the administration to start the project.”

Meanwhile, area MLA, Shushil Rinku also stated that the tendering process for the construction of the bridge was completed a few years ago, but the work was yet to begin. “We will receive the estimated grant (Rs35 lakh) for the bridge,” he said.