Bathinda- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced a major infrastructure bonanza worth around ₹90 crore for the residents of Bathinda by dedicating the reconstructed Multania Railway Over Bridge (ROB) to the public and approving the construction of a new Railway Over Bridge at Janta Nagar, with both projects aimed at easing the city’s long-standing traffic problems.
Addressing a gathering after dedicating the Multania ROB, CM warmly welcomed the residents who attended the inauguration and said that Bathinda, being an important railway junction in Punjab, has several railway lines passing through it, which divide the city into different parts. He said, “The Multania Bridge, constructed over the Ambala, Delhi, Sirsa and Bikaner railway lines, plays a crucial role in connecting the divided population of Bathinda.”
The Chief Minister said that the earlier bridge was nearly 35 years old and had become unfit for the present traffic needs of the city. “With a narrow carriageway of just 23 feet and insufficient service road width, the old bridge was no longer suitable for the increasing volume of traffic,” the Chief Minister said, adding that this caused severe inconvenience to school vans, traders, ambulances and heavy vehicles.
Mann said that due to its old and dilapidated condition, the bridge would frequently develop potholes during the rainy season because of soil erosion, forcing temporary closures during monsoons. “For a long time, the residents of the city had been demanding the reconstruction of this Railway Over Bridge. Keeping these problems in mind, the state government decided to demolish the approaches of the old bridge and construct a new one on the existing pillars,” he said.
He said that the new Multania ROB has been constructed at a cost of ₹38.08 crore, with a total length of slightly over one kilometre, and its width has been increased from 23 feet to 34.5 feet. The Chief Minister added, “The space beneath the bridge will be developed as a sports ground with facilities such as a walking track, box cricket, a skating area, a basketball court, gym space and other amenities.”
CM said that the work on this bridge began on September 11, 2023, and has been completed on schedule. “Today, this bridge has been dedicated to the public for traffic use,” he said.
Referring to another major project, the Chief Minister said that an underbridge currently exists at Janta Nagar over the Bathinda-Firozepur railway line, which also connects different parts of the city. He said, “This underbridge, which links Bathinda-Goniaana Road and Badal Ghudda Road, is very narrow and causes daily difficulties for commuters.”
Mann said that the movement of traffic through this underbridge is risky and prone to accidents, and during the rainy season, waterlogging further aggravates the situation. “Students, school vans, ambulances and the general public face serious problems here every day,” he said, adding that local residents have been demanding a Railway Over Bridge at this location for a long time.
Responding to this demand, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government has approved the construction of a Railway Over Bridge at Janta Nagar at a cost of ₹50.86 crore. “The proposed bridge will be 650 metres long with a 31-foot-wide carriageway. The adjoining service road will also be widened from 18 feet to 33 feet,” he said, adding that the tender process has already begun and construction work will start shortly.
Mann said that this new bridge will not only resolve traffic congestion in the area but will also save valuable time for residents and put an end to their daily hardships. “This entire region is being developed as a major hub of growth in the state, and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause,” he said.
Highlighting the broader development vision of his government, the Chief Minister said that while school infrastructure is being upgraded, the skills and expertise of teachers are also being enhanced to ensure better outcomes for students. “Our government is fully committed to the well-being of the entire state, and all decisions are being taken after consultations with the people and other stakeholders,” CM said.