Sultanpur Lodhi, December 8
In an apparent attempt to get maximum political mileage ahead of forthcoming Assembly elections, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal laid two foundation stones for a high-level bridge on Beas, joining Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district and Chola Sahib in Tarn Taran district.

The bridge will start from Kabirpur village in Kapurthala district of Doaba region and will culminate at Mand Karmuwal village in the neighbouring Tarn Taran district of Majha region and vice-versa.

Badal laid the first foundation stone at Kabirpur village at 10.30 am, whereas he laid another stone at Mand Karmuwal village in Tarn Taran district around noon.

Both Kabirpur and Karmuwal villages fall under the Assembly constituencies of powerful Akali ministers. While Kabirpur is a part of the Sultanpur Lodhi assembly constituency being represented by Finance Minister Dr Upinderjeet Kaur, Mand Karmuwal is part of Naushahara Pannua (now Khadur Sahib after delimitation) assembly constituency being represented by Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura.

Dr Upinderjeet Kaur was present during the ceremony at Kabirpur village, whereas Brahmpura attended the function at Mand Karmuwal village.

Addressing a gathering after laying stone at Kabirpur village, Badal said: “The areas around the proposed bridge will witness economic growth in the days to come. The rates of the land of the villagers around the proposed bridge will become at least double.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Upinderjeet Kaur said: “The villagers cover a distance of 46 kilometres or use boats in the absence of a bridge to reach Kabirpur from Mand Karmuwal and vice versa. This problem of the villagers will be solved once for all after the construction of this bridge.”

The six-kilometre long bridge will be built at a cost of Rs 86 crore. While Rs 75 crore will be spent on the construction of the bridge, remaining Rs 11 crore will be used for constructing and widening approach roads.