BJP leaders meet Vaishnaw over Nangal traffic worries

Punjab BJP vice-president Subhash Sharma on Saturday urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to construct a passage under the Nangal Dam flyover to ease traffic chaos in the town.

Sharma, accompanied by local BJP representatives, submitted a memorandum to Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu in Mohali, detailing the hardships faced by residents due to the closure of key access points in the town.

Vaishnaw issued instructions to officials concerned for immediate action.

Sharma said ever since the C-88 railway gate in Nangal was closed on December 8, 2021, the connectivity within the city had been severely disrupted.

An underpass had originally been planned before the construction of the four-lane flyover in Nangal, but the plan was shelved midway, he said.

Sharma stated that due to the closure of the railway gate and the absence of an alternative road, even the movement residents had been adversely affected.

“The Union Government’s earlier plan to establish a major educational institution in the region had also been put on hold owing to the lack of accessible routes,” he said.

Sharma further said residents of nearly 10 surrounding villages are among those bearing the brunt of the disrupted connectivity.

“Villagers, who once relied on the route from Barari side to enter the Nangal’s railway road area, are now forced to take long detours. Meanwhile, the traffic congestion near the bus stand particularly on the narrow canal bridge has escalated to alarming levels,” he said.