Finally, Railways allots construction work of ROB over Ludhiana-Dhuri tracks

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 3

After residents raised questions over too much delay in the construction of the railway overbridge (ROB) over Ludhiana-Dhuri railway tracks near Gill village, finally, the railways has issued the work order for construction of the ROB. A railway official claimed the work would be started soon on the site.

The ROB is a part of GLADA’s ‘Missing Link 2’ project for which the land was acquired around a decade ago. The project has not been completed till date even after missing deadlines.

Notably, GLADA had earlier constructed a road stretch from Dhandra Road to Dhuri railway tracks and then another stretch on the Gill village side under the same project a few years ago. In 2019, GLADA had released around Rs 21.84 crore to railways for the construction of the ROB. But the construction of the railway overbridge, which has to connect these two road stretches, was being delayed.

Sanjay Tiwari, a resident, said: “We had moved the court as the construction of the ROB was being delayed. The court had then ordered the authorities concerned to float tenders for the construction of the ROB. Tenders were floated around four months ago by the railways but the work is yet to be started at the ground level. The railways and GLADA must ensure completion of the ROB construction work on time.”

A shopkeeper, Jashanpreet Singh, said, “We demand from the railways to construct the ROB in its jurisdiction at the earliest. GLADA should also complete ROB-related works (bridge approaches) under its jurisdiction without any further delay. All these works must be completed within six months.”

According to information, the work for the ‘Missing Link 2’ project was divided into three parts – Dhandra Road to Dhuri Railway line, Dhuri Railway line to Malerkotla Road and then Malerkotla Road to Southern Bypass road (alongside Sidhwan Canal). Once this ROB is constructed, commuters can travel between Malerkotla Road (Gill Road) and Ferozepur Road (via Dhandra Road intersection, Phullanwal Chowk and Lodhi Club Road) in less time.

“The work on a stretch that is to connect Malerkotla Road with Southern Bypass road near Lohara was also lying incomplete. It should be completed too,” Jashanpreet said.

A railway official said the tender for the ROB construction work had been allotted to a successful bidder and it would start soon.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.