Hodal MLA gives push to dream project of bridge over Yamuna near Hasanpur village

Harinder Singh, the newly elected BJP MLA from the Hodal Assembly segment in the district, has unleashed a drive to push on the work for fulfillment of the promises made prior to the Assembly elections. He has taken up the matter of the completion of one of his dream projects -- a bridge over Yamuna near Hasanpur village, with the authorities concerned.

Singh (55) a greenhorn, who trounced one of the tallest and veteran leaders in the state Congress from the Hodal segment, has been holding meetings with the authorities of the state government and the local administration over the pace of development regarding various projects, it is revealed. Accompanied by district officials, Singh visited the bridge site near on Thursday to push the work. Taken up in 2016, the project has been stuck in wake of resistance by some residents for acquisition of their land for the bridge. Directing the district authorities to resume the work immediately by resolving the matter amicably, he announced that he would go to any limit to get the project completed at the earliest.

Several works in pipeline

Creation of a special industrial zone and state-of-the-art bus stand complex, upgrade of the railway station and setting up a large public park for residents of Hodal town, which has a population of around 4.5 lakh, will also be taken up on priority. Harinder Singh, Hodal MLA

Talking to The Tribune, Singh said the bridge was a dream project of his family, especially his father Ram Rattan, a former MLA. He claimed the work on the project would resume soon as the issue had been taken up on priority with all concerned, including the owners of the land.

He said the bridge being built by both Haryana and Uttar Pradesh would not only provide an easy access between the two states, but would also create employment opportunities in the region, which is considered as economically backward. Listing other immediate targets, he said creation of a special industrial zone, state-of-the-art bus stand complex, upgrade of the railway station and setting up a large public park for residents of the town, which has a population of around 4.5 lakh, would be taken up on priority.

"I will be taking up these demands in the upcoming sessions of the state Assembly ," he announced, adding that his main focus was on the all-round development of the segment. Claiming of chalking out the strategy based on discussion with people, he said there would be no political discrimination in matters of enhancing public facilities. He was confident of working towards addressing the basic issues, he added.

Harinder shot to fame when he greeted elders with 'Dandvat Pranam'  during the election campaign. He emerged as a giant killer after he defeated Udai Bhan, a veteran Congress leader, catapulting all political calculations.