Lehragaga, October 16:- Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today launched work to install two steel footbridges over the Dayalpura Distributary and the Ghaggar Branch Canal, fulfilling a longstanding demand of residents of rural and urban areas in the Lehra constituency. He said the bridges would provide considerable relief to farmers, labourers and town residents who face difficulties in their daily travel.
Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister said the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was prioritising development works according to local needs. He said the government was committed to resolving problems affecting people's daily lives and providing better basic amenities in villages and towns.
Sharing details of the bridge over the Dayalpura Distributary, Barinder Kumar Goyal said several farmers from Khai, Arakwas and Ramgarh villages owned agricultural land across the distributary. With their villages on one side and their fields on the other, they faced difficulties travelling to and from their fields for routine agricultural work, particularly when bringing green fodder for livestock and transporting goods on carts.
He said work to install the prefabricated steel footbridge over the distributary had begun today and would be completed within a week. Ramps were also being constructed on both sides to facilitate the movement of pedestrians and carts. The bridge would improve farmers' access to their fields, saving them time and effort.
Regarding the second bridge over the Ghaggar Branch Canal, the Cabinet Minister said residents of Wards 13, 14 and 15 of the Lehragaga Municipal Council, as well as adjoining wards, had to take a long detour to cross the canal. Carts could not cross the existing wooden bridge, prompting repeated demands from local residents for a permanent bridge.
Barinder Kumar Goyal said work to install the steel footbridge over the Ghaggar Branch Canal had also begun in response to this demand. The bridge would be completed and opened to the public within the next 20 days. He said it would ease movement between different wards and spare residents the inconvenience of taking a long detour.
The Cabinet Minister said sustained efforts were underway to strengthen road and bridge infrastructure in the Lehra constituency. Better connectivity would ease travel and facilitate agricultural and other daily activities. He reiterated that development works would continue in line with the needs of the constituency's residents.
Prominent residents of Khai, Ramgarh and Arakwas villages, Lehragaga Municipal Council President Kanta Goyal and a large number of local residents were present on the occasion.
