NDRF, divers clear blockage at Gidderpindi rail bridge

Getting sufficient time after the first inflow of waters from the Bhakra dam, the district administration on Thursday got removed the vegetation that was stuck under the crucial Gidderpindi railway bridge.

The bridge criss-crosses the Sutlej at Shahkot and, if clogged, becomes a hindrance in the flow of gushing river waters, making embankments along it vulnerable to breaches as in 2019 and 2023.

The teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local divers have removed all vegetation caught up in the tracks and under it ensuring the smooth flow of 2 lakh cusecs water. Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and SSP Harvinder Singh Virk supervised the operation, which continued under strict monitoring.

Along with the NDRF, the railway team was also called in immediately by the district administration. Officials highlighted that the wild vegetation had been obstructing the natural flow of the river and posed a potential risk of blockage at the site which had earlier resulted in breaches and flooding of villages.

Following the successful clearance, Dr Aggarwal lauded the relentless efforts of local divers and the NDRF teams, stressing that their timely action averted a possible hazard. It is pertinent to mention here that the Bein and Sutlej converge before Gidderpindi. The bridge is observing its peak flow water levels at this point of time as the Sutlej waters sometimes flow back to it after touching the Beas-Sutlej confluence point at Harike.

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Army deployed at Gatta Mundi Kasu

After the Sutlej waters had started seeping out from the dhussi bundh along Gatta Mundi Kasu and Dhakka Basti areas of Shahkot, the district administration got deployed the Army for strengthening of the bundh. The teams along with officials of the Drainage Department and local volunteers started working at the site after receiving instructions from DC Dr Aggarwal.