Ferozepur April 22:
So hyped on the eve of the last assembly election in the state, the construction of a high level bridge over the Sutlej between Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts, reducing the distance between the two cities of the border for a few 50 kilometers, has hung fire for lack of funds.
In November 2011, Prime Minister Parkash Singh Badal had laid the foundation stone of the bridge 780 meters long in Kot Budha subdivision Patti village in Tarn Taran district and village in Ferozepur Muthianwala. The bridge was to be built at a cost of Rs 97.38 million rupees. The union ministry of road transport R had sanctioned Rs 61.58 million under the Central Road Fund and the rest would be contributed by the state government.
The bridge had to be completed in about two years, but even after a year and a half, only 13% work has been achieved and the base 17 wells, only eight have been raised. Of the total amount approved, only 8 crore has been given to the company SECL, who had been awarded the tender. During the past four months, the construction of the bridge has come to an end and most of the labor force of the company, has even pushed out, according to reports.
The bridge not only boost the economy of the border areas in a big way, but its completion further facilitate traffic congestion on Ferozepur Road Tarn Taran through Harike. Traffic going towards Ferozepur, Kandla (Gujarat) and Rajasthan would be diverted through a shorter route and facilitates a route best defense in the region. Similarly, traffic from Gujarat and Rajasthan via Ferozepur and go to Amritsar and Jammu would also pass through this route will be 50 km shorter than the old route. With the advent of the bridge, the distance between Ferozepur and Patti would be reduced from 85 km to 35 km.
In the absence of a direct rail or road connectivity between Ferozepur and Amritsar, the natives of the two major border districts had no choice but to follow the alternative route-Zira-Makhu Harike-Tarn Taran to reach Amritsar or vice versa. The bridge will also provide easy access to border residents and is not to put your life at risk when traveling on boats to cross the Sutlej go to Amritsar. A number of farmers border in the past had lost their lives due to the sinking of boats on the Sutlej, especially during the rains or floods.
The mean time, Congress MLA Ferozepur Parminder Singh Pinki SADBJP criticized the government for the delay and demanded an immediate re-start of work of public interest. Expressing concern over the issue, the state BJP chief Kamal Sharma said the issue had been brought to his attention recently. He said he would take up the matter of priority and ensure release of funds.