Title - All is not well along Southern Bypass

LUDHIANA: Over two years have passed since the construction work of Southern Bypass on Sidhwan Canal started, but the Public Works Department (PWD) is yet to get a clearance from railway authorities for constructing piles over Ferozepur-Dhuri railway line, where the construction work has been troublesome to traffic.Once the PWD has the clearance for constructing piles, it would also need a sanction for the superstructure, which would connect railway portion of the bridge with rest of the bridges. Despite its deadline being October 31, 2012 (postponed from February 2012), only 65% work of the project has been completed so far.Two flyovers were to be constructed along Southern Bypass under this project— Dugri flyover and Gill flyover— of which only Dugri flyover has become functional so far, while Gill flyover will be opened to commuters by June end, say the authorities.The major traffic chaos results near the two railway lines crossing this Bypass near Ferozepur Road and Dhuri. Authorities have to construct two railway over-bridges (ROB) on these spots.Piling work is on at both the sites and it would be almost a month before railway authorities give the pile test report, which would be instrumental in determining the final approval for super-structure.But, the opening of Gill flyover by this month-end would be a great relief for commuters.PWD executive engineer Angrej Singh says, "The work is on at a fast pace at all the bridges in the way and the project work would complete shortly. We will soon get the pile testing report and its approval too."The railway officials blame the presence of railway lines in the way of project as trains moving every now and then hinder work pace."Lack of coordination between MC and railway department delayed the construction at Lakkar bridge in the city and this project involves two railway lines. No one can assume when will this work be completed," says Gurdeep Singh, a harrowed commuter from Model Town.A student and Dugri resident Simranpreet Kaur says there are certain spots on the stretch where the traffic just crawls through. "The officials should speed up the work and complete this project as soon as possible," she adds.