"Ludhiana: Significant Section of Elevated Highway Set to Open Ahead of Diwali"

In a welcome development for residents, a major segment of the elevated highway in Ludhiana is poised to be inaugurated before the upcoming Diwali festival. However, the remaining part of the project, which has experienced multiple delays, is anticipated to be finalized within approximately two months.

This project, which commenced in 2018, encompasses the route from Samrala Chowk to Cheema Chowk, Gill Chowk, Bus Stand, Bharat Nagar Chowk, with an extension to Durga Temple and concluding at Ferozepur road chungi (Octroi).

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had previously set several completion deadlines for the 12.951-kilometer elevated national highway project, with commitments to wrap up by September 2022, then by March 2023, and later by July of this year. The latest update from NHAI officials suggests that it may take around two more months for the project to reach fruition.

Ashok Rolaniya, the Project Director at NHAI for the elevated highway project, shared that nearly 98% of the work on the highway stretch between Bhai Wala Chowk and Bharat Nagar Chowk, extending to Jagraon Bridge, is near completion. He expressed optimism that this particular stretch is on track to be finished before Diwali.

The project director also mentioned that approximately 80% of the work on the segment leading to the bus stand has been executed, and girders have been successfully launched at Bharat Nagar Chowk. Slab work remains to be done in four spans.

NHAI officials have resolved the issues raised by a few furniture traders who were demanding parking space at a specific location under the elevated highway, and work is progressing at that site. The NHAI anticipates wrapping up the project within the next two months, with approximately 80 workers focused on the segment from Bharat Nagar Chowk towards the bus stand, while around 40 workers are giving the finishing touches to the road from Bhai Wala Chowk to Bharat Nagar Chowk, extending towards Jagraon Bridge.

The impending completion of the project has generated high expectations among residents. They foresee significant benefits, such as reduced travel time, lower fuel expenses, and decreased pollution, as a substantial number of vehicles will utilize the elevated road, leaving fewer vehicles on the lower lanes.

ET