RS MP receives assurance from Gadkari on underpass construction

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora met Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Thursday and requested for the construction of a vehicular underpass (VUP) near Dhandari Kalan railway station crossing on NH-44 in Ludhiana and VUP/LVUP (Vehicular and Light Vehicle Underpass) at seven places in the city.

During the meeting, Arora brought the minister’s attention to the urgent need for constructing a vehicular underpass (VUP) from Dhandari Kalan railway station to the other side of the road crossing NH-44 in Ludhiana. He informed the minister that the existing infrastructure was struggling to cope with the massive volume of goods traffic emanating from the nearby industrial zone, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and accidents. The situation is also causing significant hardships for pedestrians and other commuters. Considering these challenges, he requested the minister to direct the officials concerned to identify and mark the area for VUP construction. He opined that this critical infrastructure project would greatly alleviate traffic congestion, enhance road safety and promote economic growth in the region. In reply, the minister immediately directed his officials to conduct a feasibility report.

Rajya Sabha MP Arora also expressed his gratitude for instructing the officials concerned to examine the matter. He reminded the minister that the VUP/LVUP was crucial in taking care of the black spots and saving lives of pedestrians. Arora sought the construction of VUP/LVUP at Jalandhar bypass, Subash Nagar to Sunder Nagar Chowk, Kailash Nagar Chowk, Kakowal Chowk-Shekhewal, at Kali Bindra Colony (Pringle Ground), Bal Singh Nagar to Kailash Nagar and Jassian Road to Guruhar Rai Nagar crossing. The local MLAs had approached the MP, highlighting the dire need for additional VUP/LVUP, following which he had taken up this matter with the minister a few months ago.

He said regarding his request to construct VUP/LVUP at seven places in the city, the minister has passed on instructions to the officials to start work at the earliest possible.