Pakhowal railway overbridge to open by February

Commuters will be a happier lot as they will be relieved of traffic snarls with the opening of railway overbridge on Pakhowal Road connecting it to Ferozepur Road, by February as the work to place the last slab was conducted on Friday.

However, the entire project of Southern Bypass from Ferozepur Road to Doraha, along Sidhwan canal, would take around three months more for completion, as per officials. The project started in 2009 but has missed several deadlines. The completion of entire project would cost Rs 328 crore.

Earlier, the railway overbridge (Dhuri Line) under the Southern bypass was thrown open to the public in October. During its inauguration, irrigation minister Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon had announced that the project would be completed by December 31.

The residents are waiting endlessly as with the completion of this project they will be able to cover the distance between Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana, to Doraha within less time.

According to officials, the railway overbridge towards Pakhowal Road will be opened in February and then residents will not have to go inside the city to reach Dugri, Gill Road or Doraha from Ferozepur Road. It will reduce the travelling time for people coming from Moga, Ferozepur and heading towards Khanna, Patiala and Delhi.

Meanwhile, the work on two underpasses on Ferozepur Road under this project is also on. The staff present on the site claimed that they will take around three months more to complete it. Sumps will be set up in both underpasses to avoid waterlogging.

Rattanjit Singh, a resident, said, "We have already been suffering due to the delay in completion of the project. The opening of railway overbridge will be very beneficial for us as it will connect Ferozepur Road and Pakhowal Road."

A public works department (PWD) official, requesting anonymity, said, "While the railway overbridge towards Pakhowal Road will be opened in February, it will take around three months for the completion of underpasses."

PWD superintending engineer Varinderjeet Singh said the work on Southern Bypass was going on in full swing and the project would be completed soon.