Harike bridge to remain closed from April 25-May 10 for repair

Harike bridge --- the crucial link between Majha and Malwa regions --- will remain closed for traffic from April 25 to May 10. The decision has been taken to ensure repair of floodgates at Harike headworks --- the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers.

Harike bridge --- the crucial link between Majha and Malwa regions --- will remain closed for traffic from April 25 to May 10. The decision has been taken to ensure repair of floodgates at Harike headworks --- the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers.

Punjab irrigation department executive engineer (Ferozpur district) Vijay Pal Singh Mann told HT during the repair work, the traffic will remain suspended and water will not be released from Pong Dam, Ranjit Sagar Dam and Ropar headworks in both rivers.

He said before the repair work begins, water will be released into Rajasthan and Ferozepur feeder canals.

“Both these canals have 14 flood gates which will be repaired with the help of cranes. We will have to work 14-15 hours a day to ensure its timely completion,” he added.

Notably, the bridge had remained blocked for 11 days during protests over sacrilege incidents in October last year, causing a lot of harassment to commuters, who had to take a 40-km detour to reach their respective destinations.