Mohali: The foundation stone for a Rs 29-crore high-level bridge over the Ghaggar at the Mubarakpur causeway in Derabassi was laid on Monday. The project is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and ending frequent traffic disruptions caused by monsoon flooding.Derabassi MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa said the bridge would fulfil a nearly 70-year-old demand of residents and significantly improve connectivity among Mubarakpur, Dhakoli, Derabassi, Zirakpur, Panchkula, Kalka and Ambala. He said the Mubarakpur-Dhakoli road was a key link in the constituency and carried substantial local as well as inter-city traffic.The existing crossing consists of a submersible causeway and approach road built in 2016. During heavy rain and flooding, water often flows over the causeway, disrupting vehicular movement and affecting connectivity. The proposed high-level bridge is expected to provide a permanent solution to the problem while enhancing road safety.PWD executive engineer Harpreet Kataria said the Punjab govt had accorded administrative approval for the project at an estimated cost of Rs 29.44 crore. The construction is scheduled to be completed within 18 months.The project includes a 300-metre main bridge, a 250-metre approach road on the Mubarakpur side and a 240-metre approach on the Dhakoli side, taking the total length of the bridge and approaches to 790 metres. In addition, 370 metres of service roads will be constructed on both sides.The bridge and its approaches will feature a 9.5-metre-wide carriageway, 0.75-metre-wide footpaths and 0.5-metre-wide RCC railings on both sides, giving the structure an overall width of 12 metres.Randhawa directed PWD officials to adhere to the stipulated timeline and ensure the bridge is opened to the public within 18 months after completion of all formalities. He thanked chief minister Bhagwant Mann and the PWD for sanctioning the project, saying it would benefit both residents and commuters using the Dera Bassi-Zirakpur-Panchkula corridor.He said six bridges had been constructed in the Derabassi constituency during the tenure of the present govt and described the new bridge as a major infrastructure project for the region. He also criticised previous govts for allegedly failing to provide adequate infrastructure funding to the constituency.The MLA asked officials to publicly reiterate the completion deadline to ensure accountability and avoid unnecessary delays.
