Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh today inspected the Thali bridge under Sunni affected by heavy rains. During this, the local people also put forth their problems before the Public Works Minister.
The minister assured the people that the state government will build a new bridge so that connectivity can be established between Shimla and Mandi. For this, instructions have been given to the Public Works Department which will search for a site for the bridge from Gharat Nala to Ghanghar under Sunni area. Only after this, an estimate will be made for the construction of a double lane bridge here.
The Public Works Minister said that due to the dam, the water level is increasing every year and in such a situation the Thali bridge is getting damaged. Our government will build a new bridge so that people do not face any problem in movement in future. He said that this matter will also be placed before the Chief Minister of the state. The cooperation of both SJVN and NTPC will also be taken in its construction.
On this occasion, SDM Sunni Rajesh Verma, Chief Engineer Suresh Kapoor, SDO Gopal Dev, Municipal Council President Pradeep Sharma, Vice President Shyama Devi, former Block Congress President Shimla Rural Gopal Sharma and many local people were present.
Decision on restoration of Thali bridge will be taken after structural audit
The Public Works Minister instructed the Public Works Department officials on the spot to conduct a structural audit of the damaged Thali bridge. He instructed to form a committee for this soon. The committee will submit its report only after assessing the damaged bridge. Pedestrians will be allowed to walk on the bridge only if the report is positive. Until the report comes, allowing movement on the bridge can pose a threat to the safety of people.
Inspection of ITI
Vikramaditya Singh also inspected the ITI campus affected by the water of Sutlej river due to heavy rains. Water has created a lot of danger here. A dumping site will be built here so that water does not enter the campus in future. A Pokelin machine will be deployed by the Public Works Department to drain out the water that has accumulated in the ITI campus so that the closed ITI can be restored as soon as possible.
Sunni area affected by dam, will make a comprehensive plan
The Public Works Minister said that for the last two years, the Sunni area has started facing a lot of danger due to the dam. Water has started accumulating on the lands of people along the river. The Thali bridge was also damaged due to water last year, which was repaired by the state government. But this year the bridge has been damaged again. He said that a meeting of all stakeholders including NTPC, SJVN will be held in the Secretariat this week. In this meeting, a decision will be taken on how the work will be done in the future under the plan in the dam affected area so that people do not have to face any kind of loss.
Selfie point will be inspected
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh also inspected the Shimla to Karsog road which was damaged due to dam water near the selfie point at Tattapani. The minister directed the Public Works Department to work to open the connecting road for the movement of small vehicles.
