A major relief is on the way for the residents of Nagrota Surian and Jawali regions in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. A new bridge is currently under construction over the Gaj Khad in the Nurpur area, which is scheduled to be dedicated to the public this year itself. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar recently inspected the construction site and reviewed the ongoing progress, directing the officials to accelerate the work to ensure timely completion.
Construction under Central Government's Setu Bandhan Scheme
This important infrastructure project is being built under the central government's 'Setu Bandhan Scheme'. During his visit, Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar held detailed discussions with representatives of the executing company and officials from the Public Works Department. He instructed them to strictly adhere to quality and safety standards while keeping to the project timeline. The authorities expect that once completed, the bridge will not only ease daily commutes but also give a significant boost to tourism and economic activities in the region.
Distance between the two areas to reduce by about nine kilometers
The primary benefit of this bridge will be a substantial reduction in travel distance between Nagrota Surian and Jawali. Currently, the distance between these two locations is approximately 25 kilometers, which will shrink to just 16 kilometers once the bridge opens. This shorter route will save commuters both time and travel expenses. Furthermore, better road connectivity is anticipated to generate new avenues for trade, commerce, tourism, and employment generation across the entire area.
Massive structure built using pile foundation technology
The engineering aspects of the bridge over Gaj Khad are notable. The entire structure is being constructed using advanced pile foundation technology. This method involves drilling holes up to roughly 25 meters deep into the ground, which are then filled with concrete and reinforcement steel to form robust pillars before constructing the upper spans. The bridge will measure approximately 828 meters in length and 12 meters in width. It is designed as a double-lane bridge featuring footpaths on both sides for pedestrian safety.
Efforts underway to dedicate the bridge to the public this year
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar stated that the administration is making earnest efforts to open the bridge for public use within this year. Notably, construction on the bridge began about six months ago, and while its initial completion deadline was set for December 2027, accelerated efforts are underway to finish it much earlier. The opening of this bridge will provide immense daily convenience to local commuters.
