10 years on, slow pace of work on approach roads delays bridge project
Ten years after its foundation stone was laid, the first major interstate bridge in the district over the Yamuna remains non-operational. The construction of the four-laned bridge near Manjhawali village, which costs over Rs 400 crore, has been completed, but work on the approach roads remains unfinished.
Construction didn’t begin until 2018
The project’s foundation stone was laid in August 2014, but construction didn’t begin until 2018, and it took about four years to complete the main bridge. However, the bridge remains unusable for its intended purpose due to the incomplete approach roads on both sides.
‘Of no use’
The bridge is of no use until approach roads are constructed to allow vehicle movement. — Official, Public Works Department
Although some vehicles have been using the bridge to travel to Greater Noida since the main platform was completed in December 2022, the approach roads on both sides are still incomplete, even after 21 months, according to reports.
The project’s foundation stone was laid in August 2014, but construction didn’t begin until 2018, and it took about four years to complete the main bridge, according to Public Works Department (PWD) officials. However, the bridge remains unusable for its intended purpose due to the incomplete approach roads on both sides.
While 90 per cent of the work on the 500-m passage connecting the bridge from the Faridabad side is finished, only 30 per cent of the work on the Uttar Pradesh side has been completed, sources say.
“The bridge is of no use until approach roads are constructed to allow vehicle movement,” said an official.
Once operational, the bridge will provide direct connectivity between Faridabad and Greater Noida, significantly reducing commuting time between the two cities.
PWD Executive Engineer Pradeep Sindhu said the approach road construction in Haryana was nearly complete and was expected to be finished within a month. He added that the department was in contact with Uttar Pradesh government officials to expedite the completion of the remaining work.
