Punjab public works minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday said that the construction of the railway over bridge (ROB) on the Harike-Jira-Bathinda section of national highway 54 in Makhu will begin within a week. The minister made the announcement in response to a question raised by MLA Naresh Kataria during the Punjab vidhan sabha session. ETO said that all necessary land acquisitions for the project were completed, and the construction contract was awarded.
In response to another query by MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar regarding the construction of the fourth leg of Chatiwind Canal, the minister informed that the ministry of road transport and highways, central govt, granted approval under the CRIF Scheme (2024-25) on January 5. Administrative approval was issued on March 10, and the tender process will be initiated shortly. Funds will be released in accordance with the progress of the work, he added.
Responding to a query by MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh regarding the construction of new chambers for lawyers in the Amritsar court complex, the minister clarified that the proposal for constructing new chambers is to be undertaken by the lawyers themselves as per the Punjab govt revenue department’s notification dated November 11, 2002. The expenses for the construction will be borne by the bar association. The minister assured that the matter will be taken up with the revenue department.
Responding to the query of MLA Karambir Singh, ETO informed that the widening of a 23.65 km stretch from Sahaura Kandi to Pandori Atwal (Nangal Ghodewaha) from 10 feet to 18 feet, along with the installation of crash barriers along the canal side, was awarded to a contractor in January at Rs 1951.22 lakh. The necessary approvals from the forest department are being processed since August 2024, and the work will be completed within the stipulated time once approvals are secured.
