In a major relief to the residents of Fazilka, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has accorded to build up two new bridges at border villages across river Satluj.
leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sunil Jakhar led the delegation of border residents of Fazilka district to Ramesh during his visit to Chandigarh. During interaction, villagers rued about their pathetic condition following annual floods in their villages and demanded permanent solution to it.
The low-level bridge across river Satluj at village Kanwan Wali Pattan got almost submerged into the flood water which they got disconnect from rest of world and fail to receive even any relief material, the aggrieved farmers told the Minister. Farmers too demanded another bridge at the Jalalabad-Maujam Drain near village Balle-shah Uttar as per requirement of the residents of vicinity.
After patient hearing, Ramesh expressed sympathy with the farmers and informed that adequate funds were annually released to Punjab Government to ensure advance arrangements to avoid floods. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally keen on developing infrastructure in border areas and gradually releasing amount to the respective State Governments, said Ramesh. Soon, a team of Union Rural Development would visit the sites where bridges are required followed by required approval and funds, assured the Minister.