Elevated road or bypass in Banga: Union transport ministry to take final decision

BANGA (SBSNAGAR) : The ministry of road transport and highways would take a final call whether to construct a bypass or a 3- km in Bang at own as part of the four-lane Phagwara-Banga Nawanshahr-Rupnagar highway.

The National Highways Authority of India( NH AI) decided to construct a bypass in Nawanshahr (SBS Nagar) and 3-km elevated road in Banga to reduce traffic congestion and accidents on the 73-km stretch, also known as the killer highway (see box). The four-lane road will make commuting from the Doaba region to Na wan shah rand the Chandigarh international airport easier.

Following a vyapar mandal representation to the Centre last month, the local project implementation unit received a communication from ministry to hold talks with locals seeking objections. “Residents want a bypass to be constructed. We have sent our report and the ball is now in the ministry’s court,” said an official of local project implementation unit, adding that the project has already been delayed by eight months. The contract was signed with GR Infra Limited in October.

“If the ministry gives its nod for a flyover, the work will start immediately, but the project will be delayed by two years in case of a bypass as the land has to be acquired for it,” said the official.

The authorities have issued notices to people who have encroached upon the land for the project. The boundary wall of SDM office, police station and wall of a school will be demolished as these have been identified as encroachments, said an official.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari and former deputy chief minister Sukhb ir Singh Bad al laid the foundation stone of the ₹1,367-crore project on September 14 last year. Last week, Nawanshahr district Congress chief Satvir Singh Palli Jhikki led a delegation of vyapar man dal to CM Captain Am arin der Singh demanding construction of the bypass.