Mandi: Chief minister Jairam Thakur today laid the foundation stone for a 100 meter double lane cable bridge over Beas River that would provide road connectivity to a land locked region of 6 panchayats in middle Seraj.
The bridge at Hanogi-Kholanala would cost Rs 15.85 crore and link the village people living in these regions with a motorable road for the first time.
As a legislator Jairam Thakur of 20 years had been very vocal in raising a demand for a road to the region. With laying of the foundation stone, it would be a long felt need of the people of the area.
Lack of a road does not give farmers and fruit growers from this region access to the market and they were unable to get remunerative prices for their produce.
Residents of Navlagi, Kasod, Bhatkidhar, Kalhni, Kolanaal, Thana and other adjoining Panchayat have to walk for 6 or 7 hours to get to a road from where public transport can be availed. An alternate road circles an additional 100 to 150 Km loop before they can reach their homes.
The new bridge scheduled to be completed in a two years time will shorten the distance by about 100 Kms.
Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for the cable bridge, chief minister Jairam Thakur said that the bridge would enable better connectivity between Seraj and Drang.
“The new road would also make the area easy to reach for tourists. This will be the first double lane cable bridge of the state, said the chief minister.
A senior journalist who has spent more than a decade in the profession, working for Amar Ujala and Aapka Faisla.
