 Early Times Report
AKHNOOR, Aug 21: Akhnoor MLA Mohan Lal Bhagat on Friday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a 12-metre span Deck-Type Plate Girder Bridge over Beli Nallah at Rangpur in the Pragwal area.
The bridge, along with its approaches, will be constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) at an estimated cost of ?78 lakh. Located close to the International Border (IB), the bridge holds considerable importance for the border belt as it will strengthen road connectivity and provide a more reliable link between several border villages and the main road network. The earlier bridge was washed away during heavy rains last year following a strong flow of water in the Beli Nallah. Its collapse severely affected the movement of residents of Rangpur, Jamana Bela, Rajpura, Bhalwal, Najwal, Chhani, Phagwari and Pindi, besides other adjoining habitations.
Once completed, the new bridge is expected to provide safe and smoother connectivity to more than eight villages, benefiting students, farmers, employees, traders and the general population.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Mohan Lal Bhagat said that strengthening infrastructure in border areas remains one of his priorities.
"People living in border areas deserve safe, reliable and uninterrupted connectivity. The washing away of the earlier bridge had caused considerable hardship to the local population. The construction of the new bridge will restore connectivity and provide a permanent and safer solution for the people of these villages," he said.
The MLA emphasised that development of roads and bridges in areas adjoining the IB is important not only for the socio-economic development of border communities but also for strengthening overall border connectivity. |
