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

BANGA(SBSNAGAR) Theministryof road transport and highways would take a final call whether to construct a bypass or a 3-km elevatedroadinBangatownaspartof the four-lane Phagwara-BangaNawanshahr-Rupnagarhighway.

The National Highways AuthorityofIndia(NHAI)decided to construct a bypass in Nawanshahr (SBS Nagar) and 3-km elevatedroadinBangatoreducetraffic congestion and accidents on the 73-km stretch, also known as the killer highway (see box). The four-laneroadwillmakecommuting from the Doaba region to Nawanshahr and 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 SDMoffice,policestationandwall 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 SukhbirSinghBadallaidthefoundation 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 mandaltoCMCaptainAmarinder Singh demanding construction of the bypass.