Mohali: The construction of the much-awaited high-level bridge over the Sukhna Choe in Baltana has been hit by fresh delays due to shortages of bitumen and iron, prolonging the traffic woes of thousands of commuters in the area.The Municipal Council, Zirakpur, is executing the project to improve connectivity and ease congestion in Baltana, but nearly a year after work began, progress remains slow. The project had already suffered setbacks due to design modifications sought by the Water Resources Department, and officials now cite supply constraints of key construction materials as another major hurdle.Official records show that administrative approval for the bridge was granted on March 11, 2025, at an estimated cost of Rs 5.92 crore. The work was awarded in July 2025 for around Rs 5.03 crore with a completion timeline of 12 months.Despite the passage of several months, only one of the bridge’s three piers has been completed, while work on the remaining two is still underway. Officials said shortages of bitumen and iron have affected the pace of construction and delayed several ongoing activities at the site.The project had earlier been stalled after the Water Resources Department directed changes to the bridge’s length and design, necessitating revised drawings and approvals even after the work order had been issued.The slow progress has also drawn attention in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, where concerns were raised during the Budget Session over delays and the inconvenience being faced by residents.For now, the incomplete bridge continues to disrupt traffic movement in Baltana. Commuters are being forced to take longer routes and contend with heavy congestion, especially during morning and evening rush hours when office-goers, schoolchildren and college students crowd the roads.Residents have urged authorities to expedite the work and ensure an uninterrupted supply of construction materials, saying the bridge is crucial for easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity in the rapidly expanding Baltana area.BOX | Baltana bridge at a glanceProject: High-level bridge over Sukhna ChoeExecuting agency: Municipal Council, ZirakpurEstimated cost: Rs 5.92 croreAwarded cost: Rs 5.03 croreWork awarded: July 2025Completion period: 12 monthsMajor hurdles: Design revisions, bitumen shortage, iron shortageProgress so far: 1 of 3 bridge piers completedImpact: Thousands of commuters facing longer routes and traffic snarls daily
