In absence of buses, bridge over Sutlej of no use: Villagers
The bridge was inaugurated in haste by the then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s daughter Parneet Kaur just before assembly elections
TARN TARAN: Another much hyped project of the former SAD-BJP government— bridge over Sutlej river in Patti constituency—is underutilised as commuters still await the bus service. The ₹102 crore worth bridge would shorten 30 km between Jammu and Kashmir to Kandla port in Gujarat.
The 780m-long bridge connects two link roads of Tarn Taran and Ferozepur districts at river Sutlej in Kot Budha village, 40 km from here. It’s construction started in 2011 and the foundation stone was laid by the then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. It was to be completed within two years but took more than five years.
“The people of Patti and border villages of Tarn Taran district have been travelling through the longer road to enter Malwa region and Rajasthan.The new link road lessens the distance by around 30 to 50 km between Majha and Malwa regions but there is no bus service,” said Hardev Singh of Kot Budha village. Deputy commissioner Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal said, “I will take up the matter with the state transport commissioner. The people will also be made aware of the short cut way from Tarn Taran to Ferozepur.”
As per information, the bridge also shortens distance between Ferozepur-Patti and Ferozepur-Khemkaran by 32 km and 50 km respectively. Owing to the government’s apathy, the people of the border belt are not able to avail the benefits.
Patti MLA Harminder Singh Gill said, “We have written to the state transport department to launch bus service for the route. A proposal to widen the link road from Tarn Taran to Patti has also been sent to the government.
Harjinder Singh of Mutheyawali village said, “The SAD government had termed this project as the most beneficial for residents of the Patti and Khemkaran constituency (border belt). More than half a year has passed since its completion, the administration has failed to launch a bus service.” ”
The bridge was inaugurated in haste by Parneet Kaur, wife of then cabinet minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, in Dec 21, 2016 before the 2017 assembly elections.
The bridge lessened the distance of around 30 km from Tarn Taran to Ferozepur via PattiKot Budha link road.