5 new BRO bridges in Kathua nearly complete: Dr Jitendra

KU Bureau - New Delhi

Five new bridges constructed by Border Road Organization (BRO) in Kathua are nearly complete and will become operational before the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

This was disclosed by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, after reviewing the status of various ongoing BRO projects in Kathua.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal called on Dr Jitendra Singh today and discussed some of the important projects of common interest to Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, particularly the Kathua district. Badal appreciated the manner in which Dr Jitendra Singh had very diligently pushed forward, long pending projects like Shahpur Kandi and Ujh Multipurpose projects. Dr Jitendra Singh, in return, thanked Badal for the cooperation rendered by him, as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, in overcoming the deadlock.

The notable among the BRO bridges in Kathua, which are almost complete include "Bein Bridge" on Parol-Korepannu-Rajpura-Parol-Rajpura road which is likely to be thrown open to public by September this year, followed by "Basantar Bridge" on Rajpura-Madwal-Pangadaur-Causeway-Phulpur road likely to be dedicated to public in December this year.

The important "Tarnah-II Bridge" on Chann-Katriyan-Katal-Gujran-Londi-Bobiya National Highway is scheduled to be complete by February next year, followed by "Tarnah-I Bridge" on Parol-Korepannu-Rajpura-Parol-Rajpura road also scheduled to be complete in the month of February. The much awaited "Ujh Bridge" on Parol-Korepannu-Rajpura-Parol-Rajpura link is scheduled to get completed and become ready for use by April 2019.

Dr Jitendra Singh also informed Badal about landmark "Keediyan-Gandiyal Bridge" which is likely to become operational in October this year and will shorten the distance between Kathua (J&K) and Pathankot (Punjab) on National Highway by over 45 minutes. He also mentioned the new National Highway from Lakhanpur to Basohli-Banni to Doda-Bhaderwah via "Chhattergalla Tunnel", thus directly linking the erstwhile district of Doda in J&K with Punjab.