Chief minister praises ‘bridge baba’
KHIALA (JALANDHAR): Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has lauded the efforts of Baba Sant Baba Malkiat Singh, popularly known as Bridge Baba, inimproving connectivity across the state.
Badal was in town to inaugurate a bridge in Khiala village, constructed by volunteers of Baba Bhag Singh Memorial Charitable Society. Baba Malkiat Singh, 55, is the president of the society.
Later, the CM inaugurated an auditorium and sports stadium at the 10th foundation day of Sant Baba Bhag Singh Educational Complex at Khiala village. Malkiat Singh is chairman of the institute.
Baba Malkiat Singh started his mission to connect the state in 1996 with the construction of a bridge on Nasrala rivulet in the flood-prone Khiala village. After the construction of the bridge, the village emerged an educational hub for higher education not only for the surrounding 557 villages, but for entire state.
With funds provided by nonresidents Indians, and with volunteers willing to contribute funds as well as labour, the Baba Bhag Singh Memorial Charitable Society the bridge was completed within 11 months.
The society then planned an engineering institute in the area, but connectivity to village remained a hindrance. However, a public self-help movement was launched to connect the village to Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur and Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road before starting the construction of the engineering institute in 2001.
Soon, Baba Malkiat Singh’s initiative took roots and people started approaching him. Two more bridges were constructed at Tanulli and Lutera. Here too, NRIs contributed the cost of around Rs 1.25 crore. It was during these critical times that Baba Bhag Singh Engineering Institute started functioning.