Four bridges over Sidhwan Canal still under construction amid traffic woes

The four steel truss bridges being constructed over the Sidhwan Canal in Ludhiana’s South City to ease traffic congestion have missed the April 2025 completion deadline, with work still ongoing.

The project, overseen by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was expected to bring major relief to commuters navigating the increasingly crowded Canal Road and surrounding areas.

Designed to facilitate smoother U-turns and reduce traffic bottlenecks, the bridges are part of a 17.041-km-long infrastructure initiative. Two bridges are located near the F2 Raceway while the remaining two are near Barewal Bridge.

Each bridge spans approximately 34 m in length and 11 m in width. While the steel structures have been assembled, progress has been slow, works delayed by last month’s heavy rains.

South City has rapidly transformed into a bustling hub of residential complexes, upscale restaurants and commercial establishments. With markets such as Sunview drawing large crowds, especially on weekends, traffic congestion has become a daily struggle for residents and visitors alike.

Viren, a resident of South City, said: “I often get late for my tuition classes on weekends due to traffic jams. The situation is getting worse every month.”

Another resident said: “Earlier, only local residents used to frequent this side of the city. Now, with Canal Road turning into a marketplace and Sunview Market attracting heavy footfall, the road has become extremely congested. These bridges will definitely help ease the traffic flow.”

A frequent visitor to Sunview Market, Kalki said: “Traffic turns chaotic during evenings and Saturdays and Sundays are the worst. Residents have been demanding these bridges for a long time. They’re essential to improve traffic movement in South City, which is expanding rapidly with new hotels, eateries and housing projects.”

The delay has sparked concern among locals, who feel the bridges are critical to managing the area’s growing traffic load. “New bridges would save time, fuel and reduce pressure on existing infrastructure. They’re the need of the hour,” said Ramneek, another commuter.

Despite the setbacks, NHAI officials remain hopeful about completing the project soon. Residents, however, are urging the authorities to expedite the work, emphasising that the bridges are not only a convenience but also a necessity for the city’s evolving urban landscape.