Reconstruction work on the seven-decade-old Hansli bridge — which is considered to be the lifeline of the town’s economy – is stuck due to differences between the SAD and BJP.
Politics over the bridge continue despite experts’ opinion that the structure, which has already been declared unsafe by the PWD, may crumble anytime.
“A major disaster is waiting to happen. Leaders of both the SAD and BJP should keep politics at bay and instead, work together for the common cause,” said a PWD engineer.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Abhinav Trikha had recently told the SAD halqa incharge LS Lodhinangal and the BJP Municipal Committee (MC) president Naresh Mahajan to prepare a list of works to be completed after the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) had agreed to sanction Rs 16 crore for developmental initiatives.
However, instead of coming up with a joint list, the warring leaders submitted separate lists.
While Lodhinangal is all set to take up the issue with the Deputy Chief Minister, Mahajan claims the maintenance of the bridge is the sole responsibility of the Drainage Department and that the MC has nothing to do with it.
On the other hand, Lodhinangal’s supporters claim that since the structure falls within the ambit of the MC, it is the responsibility of the committee to get it reconstructed.
Mahajan, who is considered close to Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi, said that since the MC is already hard-pressed for funds, the job must be completed by the Drainage Department.
Secretary (Local Bodies), who directly reports to Anil Joshi, has asked the DC to take the issue out of the purview of the MC and let the Drainage Department take a call.
The matter has now hit a road block with the DC deciding to send the file to the Chief Minister for his “final approval.”
Sources claim that the CM, keeping coalition politics ‘dharma’ in mind, will not annoy the BJP. “On the other hand, he may not upset the calculations of his own halqa incharge either. This means that the construction work on the bridge will have to wait notwithstanding the fact that town’s economy will be in the doldrums if the structure collapses,” said a senior leader.
The bridge was constructed during the British era but was washed away during floods in 1955. Keeping in view its strategic importance for the city, the then state Revenue Minister, Pandit Mohan Lal, had got it reconstructed. Since then, seldom have repairs been carried out.
