The North News
Bathinda, January 10
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced infrastructure projects worth about ₹90 crore for Bathinda, unveiling a rebuilt railway overbridge and approving a new one aimed at easing long-standing traffic congestion in the city. Speaking after dedicating the reconstructed Multania Railway Over Bridge (ROB) to the public, Mann said Bathinda’s importance as a major railway junction had historically divided the city, with multiple railway lines cutting through residential and commercial areas. He said the Multania bridge, which crosses rail routes linking Ambala, Delhi, Sirsa and Bikaner, was crucial in reconnecting these neighbourhoods.
The Chief Minister said the previous bridge, built around 35 years ago, was no longer fit for present-day traffic. With a narrow carriageway and limited service roads, it had caused difficulties for school vehicles, traders, ambulances and heavy transport. Its deteriorating condition also led to frequent potholes and temporary closures during the monsoon season. The new Multania ROB, constructed at a cost of ₹38.08 crore, is just over a kilometre long, with its width increased from 23 feet to 34.5 feet. Mann said space beneath the bridge would be developed into a sports and recreation area, including a walking track, box cricket, skating zone, basketball court and gym facilities.
Work on the bridge began in September 2023 and has been completed on schedule, with traffic now allowed to move across it, the Chief Minister said. Mann also announced approval for a new railway overbridge at Janta Nagar, where a narrow underbridge currently crosses the Bathinda–Firozepur railway line. He said the existing underpass, linking Bathinda–Goniana Road and Badal Ghudda Road, was accident-prone and often waterlogged during the rainy season, causing daily hardship for commuters.
Responding to long-standing local demands, the state government has cleared a ₹50.86 crore project to build a 650-metre-long overbridge at the site. The new structure will have a 31-foot-wide carriageway, while adjoining service roads will be widened to 33 feet. The tender process has begun, and construction is expected to start shortly.
The Chief Minister said the new bridge would reduce congestion, improve safety and save travel time for residents, adding that the area was being developed as a key growth hub. He also highlighted wider government efforts in education and public welfare, saying infrastructure development was being carried out alongside investments in schools and teacher training.
