Expedite Swan bridge repair, Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains tells department

The damaged bridge over Swan in Algran village has sunk further by about one foot due to an increase in the water level of the river on Wednesday. Locals fear that it might collapse during the monsoon.

Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who represents the Anandpur Sahib Assembly constituency, said villagers had informed him regarding further damage to the bridge due to a flash flood in Swan river on Wednesday. The PWD authorities have been directed to immediately start the repairs of the bridge. The tender was awarded for Rs 17 crore and the contractor has to finish the work by January.

The bridge over the river has been lying damaged since 2022. The pillars of the bridge sank allegedly due to illegal mining.

Algara Bridge serves as a critical link for the residents of Algran village and surrounding areas in Ropar district, providing access across Swan river, a tributary that swells dangerously during monsoons due to rainfall in Himachal Pradesh.