Minister Vij inaugurates railway overbridge in Ambala Cantt

Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that railway crossings in Ambala Cantonment at various locations were a cause of inconvenience to people, but the new railway overbridges and underpasses would bring relief for residents.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a railway overbridge in Ambala Cantonment. The Nanhera railway overbridge on the Ambala-Saharanpur railway line has been constructed at a cost of Rs 21.48 crore.

Cabinet Minister Anil Vij said that Ambala Cantonment was divided by railway crossings on the Ambala-Saharanpur and Ambala-Delhi rail routes, affecting its development. People could not move freely due to crossings at Rangia Mandi, Ghasitpur, Shahpur and Machhonda areas. While railway underpasses have been constructed at Shahpur and Ghasitpur, a railway overbridge has been constructed at Rangia Mandi, and another ROB will be constructed at Machhonda soon.”

“The preparations for constructing the railway overbridge at Machhonda have been completed. Initially, there was a plan to construct an underpass, but after the local residents requested for an overbridge similar to Nanhera's, the plan was changed to constructing the overbridge. The ROB will further improve the connectivity and will be beneficial for the residents of adjoining villages too," he added.

“Areas such as Rangia Mandi, Nanhera, Milap Nagar, Vidyanagar and others are now directly connected to the main Sadar area of Ambala Cantonment. Earlier, these areas used to be considered the outskirts,” he said and added that the Nanhera railway overbridge spanned 640 meters and 28 streetlights had been installed to ensure safe travel at night. This overbridge will provide a better connectivity to thousands of residents, especially those from Rangia Mandi, Vidyanagar, Shahpur, Machhonda and surrounding areas.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Ambala Cantonment, Satinder Siwach; PWD Executive Engineer Ritesh Aggarwal and several BJP leaders were present on this occasion.

Speaking to mediapersons, minister Anil Vij said, “Ambala Cantonment is divided into various segments due to the Ambala-Saharanpur railway line, Ambala-Delhi railway line and the National Highway and it has affected the development works too. The railway gates at Machhonda, Shahpur, Nanhera and Ghasitpur remain closed for railway crossings. I raised the matter with the Railway Minister and got the projects approved. The underpasses and overbridges will also help improve the traffic condition in Ambala Cantonment.”