Una, April 19: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri formally laid the foundation stone on Sunday for the Ghaluwal-Jhalera double-lane bridge, to be constructed over the Swan River at Ghaluwal at a cost of ?37 crore. Significantly, this 292.50-meter-long bridge project—to be built over the Swan River as part of National Highway 503A—was sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways following a proposal submitted by the state government. To achieve this, continuous efforts were undertaken at various levels over the past year and a half under the leadership of Mr. Agnihotri.
Mr. Agnihotri stated that this bridge serves as the gateway to Haroli, and its construction will ensure that the traffic flow in the region becomes completely smooth and safe.
He noted that the original bridge at this location was constructed in 1962 by the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Pratap Singh Kairon. However, due to increasing traffic pressure over time and technical limitations, the need for a new bridge to replace the old one had become increasingly apparent. Issues such as frequent traffic jams and structural damage during the monsoon season were also recurring problems. The new double-lane bridge is set to provide a permanent solution to all these issues.
Mr. Agnihotri affirmed that this bridge would further strengthen the region's connectivity infrastructure and provide a new direction to its overall development.
*Construction of 11 Bridges Worth ?132 Crore Underway in Haroli*
The Deputy Chief Minister further announced that the construction of 11 bridges—at a total cost of ?132 crore—is currently in progress in the Haroli region to bridge the remaining "missing links" in the local connectivity network. These include the Chandpur Bridge at a cost of ?1.74 crore; the Ispur-Dera Baba Bhartrihari Damamiyan Khadd Bridge at a cost of ?1 crore; the Gondpur Jaichand Khadd Bridge at ?1.60 crore; the Chandpur Khadd Bridge at ?3.82 crore; the Haroli Khadd Bridge at ?4.64 crore; the Badhera Khadd Bridge at ?8.74 crore; the Kangad Khadd Bridge at ?15.04 crore; and the Palakwah Khadd Bridge at ?6.24 crore.
Additionally, the construction of the Pandoga-Tyuri Bridge, at a cost of ?52 crore, is also currently underway. He informed that approval amounting to ?48.69 crore has been received under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund for the upgradation of the link road connecting Jejon Mor to Tahliwal Chowk via Bhai Ka Mor. This project entails the upgradation of a 17.50-kilometer stretch of road and the construction of three bridges at Palakwah, Kangad, and Badhera.
Prior to this, the Haroli-Rampur Bridge, built over the Swan River, has become a focal point of attraction—not only for the improved connectivity it offers but also for its unique engineering features—and has emerged as a popular selfie spot for the public.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that, through the expansion of roads and bridges in Haroli, every area is being integrated into the mainstream of development.
He added that, with the blessings of the people of Haroli, he has achieved every milestone in his political career, and the holistic development of the region remains his moral responsibility.
Present on this occasion were State Congress General Secretary Ranjit Rana, District Congress President Deshraj Gautam, Haroli Block Congress President Sandeep Agnihotri, Kutlehar Block Congress President Vivek Minka, former Haroli Block Congress President Vinod Bittu, along with other party functionaries.