ROB on Pakhowal road to be opened soon

The much awaited 1.6 km long railway overbridge (ROB) being constructed under Southern bypass project, that passes over the Pakhowal road, is likely to be opened by the end of next week. The construction work is in last phase and the walls of the two-way ROB are being painted.

The much awaited 1.6 km long railway overbridge (ROB) being constructed under Southern bypass project, that passes over the Pakhowal road, is likely to be opened by the end of next week. The construction work is in last phase and the walls of the two-way ROB are being painted.

Commuters from Ferozepur Road are unable to cross the railway crossing near BRS Nagar canal bridge for the last few years as the construction work of ROB was going on. This ROB will land near canal bridge of Jawaddi on one side while near Ferozepur road on the other.

It has also been learnt that some commuters have started using this ROB by removing the barricades before its completion.

Superintending engineer of PWD, Varinderjit Singh, said that the work has almost completed. He said that some work on extension joints is going on. He said that the ROB will be ready by the end of next week.

An official at the site said that the work to install street lights has been completed and the safety walls are being painted. He said that it would take more time to complete the entire project of Southern bypass that starts from Ferozepur Road to Doraha (along Sidhwan Canal). The estimated cost for entire project is Rs 328 crore.

The project, which started in 2009, has missed several deadlines. With the opening of the ROB that passes above the Pakhowal Road will help the commuters from Ferozepur road to reach Dugri, Model Town, Pakhowal Road, Jawaddi and other city areas in few minutes.

The completion of the entire project will reduce travelling time for people coming from Moga, Ferozepur and heading towards Khanna, Delhi and Patiala via Doraha as they don't need to go inside city.

It is worth mentioning here that the railway overbridge of Dhuri Line under this project was opened in October last year.

A resident, Sukhwinder Singh, said, “The opening of this flyover will be very beneficial for the people. Earlier the commuters had to face traffic snarls due to railway crossing near BRS Nagar canal bridge. However, the authorities took long time to construct this due to which we were a harried lot.” harshraj.singh@hindustantimes.com