Two Phagwara youth swept away in overflowing stream

Both the boys had told the family that they had gone for work while, their families were not aware as to why were they going towards Jalandhar side. PARMINDER SINGH, superintendent of police

PHAGWARA:WITH the collapse of a temporary stretch constructed near Chaheru bridge on National Highway 1, two youths were swept away due to overflowing stream, here on Thursday.

The youths have been identified as Sahil Banga, 22, of Ghuman village and Love Inder Singh, 20, of Mehliwal village. The police said the youths, who were on bike, took the alternate route and the Chitti Bein rivulet was overflowing due to incessant rains.

Chitti Bein is seasonal rivulet, which finally meets Satluj river, after it gathers rainwater from small tributaries in the region.

The alternate road was built in 2015 when Chaheru bridge was being repaired. The alternate road was functional until it eroded a week back.

Investigating officer Sadar Lakhvir Singh said, “A few feet long stretch on this road was swept away due to heavy rains. But the youths were not aware of the collapse and the rising water level. When they tried to cross the road, the overflowing stream swept them away along with their bike.”

He said that a passerby called up the police at around 10.30 am and informed them about the incident.

“The team rushed to the spot along with divers from Punjab Armed Police and private divers to rescue them,” said Sadar Lakhvir Singh.

“We found the bike a few metres away later in the evening and but the boys are still missing,” said the investigating officer (IO).

There were no barricades or signboards to caution commuters of the gap in the road. Even, the road wasn’t blocked even after a part of it had collapsed. However, superintendent of police (SP) Parminder Singh claimed that the barricades were installed after the water level of rivulet started increasing.

Meanwhile Parminder Singh also said, “Both the boys had told the family that they had gone for work while, their families were not aware as to why were they going towards Jalandhar side.”

Project director Vijay Kumar, National Highways Authority of India, Sharma assured that the barricades will be installed to restrict entry from both sides.”

Sahil was working as an airconditioner mechanic in Phagwara while Inder was pursuing a course in ITI Rampur Khalyan, near Phagwara.