Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh
The newly built cable- stay bridge named Raja Bhoj Setu near Kamla Park was inaugurated amidst much fanfare by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday evening. On the occasion, Mayor Alok Sharma, Member of Parliament from Bhopal Alok Sanjar, BMC commissioner Chhavi Bhardwaj, state BJP president, Nandkumar Singh Chauhan and other dignitaries were present. The 300-meter-long Setu has been built at a cost of Rs 30 crore. Its construction was started by the BMC in August 2014 and completed in March 2017. It was also shown through projectors in 21 districts of the state. During the occasion, a cultural programme was presented by a dance troupe followed by traditional lighting of lamp by Chauhan. A music video was also played on big screens. It is prepared by the state government to mark the completion of three years of the Modi-led Government. The cable- stay bridge and the VIP road along the Upper Lake were decorated with colourful lights. While addressing the crowd, Chauhan first congratulated Modi for successfully completing three years and also highlighted Centre’s achievements. He also spoke on Centre’s different schemes for the welfare of poor. “Modi is a man with vision who is determined to take the country to dizzy heights of development. After Modi became Prime Minister, the development rate of the country has touched 7.2% which is the highest in the world at present. Globally also, he has placed the nation in a very reputable stature as a result nobody in the world can now ignore India and Modi,” said Chauhan adding that by working on PM’s vision he would put every possible effort to develop Madhya Pradesh. After Chauhan’s address, those involved in the construction of bridge including the BMC officials, representatives of the private companies and others were felicitated by Chauhan. He congratulated BMC for successfully completing construction of the bridge
which he believed would add to the beauty of the city. The ceremony was concluded with a15-minute fireworks.
Raja Bhoj Bridge Sets Pace For Bhopal
After missing four deadlines, finally the cable stay bridge connecting Kamla Park with VIP road has been dedicated to public on Friday. On a day when Prime Minister Modi ledNDA government was celebrating its three years in office, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the bridge. The 300 metre Raja Bhoj Setu (Cable Stay bridge) is a new landmark on the city's landscape. It will help decongest traffic on the Kamla ParkVIP road and help connect Old and New Bhopal areas. Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said Bhopal has added another feather in its cap in the form of Raja Bhoj Setu. "We all are celebrating three successful years completed by Prime Minister Modi in office. It is the time to enjoy every moment," said Chouhan. The chief minister said the government will be opening ITIs of international standard which will benefit around 7.5 lakh students. The cable stay bridge was originally pegged at Rs 29.47 crore, but delays and price escalation over the years have pushed the final cost to Rs 40 crore. State BJP president Nandkumar Chouhan said the bridge will be a milestone for Bhopal in the future. "Bhopal has proved its strong presence at the national level by being second cleanest city in the country during the recent swachh survey. This bridge is another important landmark," said Chouhan. He also praised the BMC officials for their excellent work in completing the bridge. Mayor, Alok Sharma said the bridge will be among the best features of Bhopal. "Like other important places this bridge will attract people. This is a big day for Bhopal," he said. Welcoming the opening of the bridge people said, "This was log-awaited. People like me, who have to commute through the area on a daily basis were fed-up with traffic jams and congestion. It will be a big help in improving the traffic connecting Old Bhopal with the New Bhopal," said Nishant Yadav, a bank employee. Historian Rizwanuddin Ansari said, the bridge would mark a major transformation on Upper Lake. The city's first bridge-cum-check dam, the Pul Pukhta, was constructed in 1749 AD and a new suburb Jehangirabad was added in 1840 AD, he said. People suggested that there should also be traffic police post to help people. "I hope people will not use the bridge as a suicide point like others spots on VIP road we have seen in the past," said Anjali Verma, a housewife who came to see the inauguration.
Bridge to be named after Raja Bhoj
The cable stay bridge is an engineering marvel connecting the Kamla Park locality with Ret Ghat, a section that was always chocked with traffic. The bridge has been completed and is ready to be opened to public soon. The Rs 40 crore bridge on the Upper Lake will be a landmark for Bhopal and is likely to be named after Raja Bhoj. Meanwhile on Wednesday, Minister of State for Cooperative, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Vishwas Sarang reviewed the pace of construction of the over bridge coming at Subhash Nagar. Construction of Subhash Railway Crossing over bridge will be completed before its deadline June 2018. This is the first ROB on which construction is being made on 60 metre railway track. Sarang conducted inspection by reaching slab constructed with the help of a swing. Executive engineer, Public Works Department, MP Singh and railway's Chief Engineer were also present. Sarang informed that role of ROB will be very important in development of Narela assembly constituency. It's design is better than the design available in railways over bridge. Sixty metre part of ROB, of total 690 metre, is on railway tracks. Curve of 45 degree has been designed on 60 metre length in steel frame, which will make traffic smoother. Generally a curve is of 90 degree. Sarang informed that as per the schedule, 50% of the construction work was to be completed by now, but the agency has executed almost 70% work by now. He said that advance progress is the result of daily planning in work and review of execution. Sarang said that total length of ROB is 690 metre. Sixty meter is being constructed by railways and remaining 630 meter is being constructed by bridge construction unit of Public Works Department. Both will complete their task very soon.