Overbridge with escalators inaugurated in Ambala

State Power, Labour and Transport Minister Anil Vij today inaugurated a foot overbridge (FOB) with escalators on the Ambala-Saha national highway to help patients and visitors who come to the Civil Hospital in Ambala Cantonment.

The bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore by the National Highways Authority of India and handed over to the Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, for maintenance and operation.

The Civil Hospital is situated on the busy Ambala-Saha Road (a stretch of the NH-444 A). A large number of people visit the hospital and the cancer centre, established on the premises of the hospital.

The FOB will give easy access to people visiting the hospital as the escalators lands on the premises of the hospital, near the main gate on one side and the Ambala-Saha stretch on the other.

While addressing a gathering on this occasion, Vij said, “People of Ambala Cantonment gave immense support to me in the elections and now, the time has come to give a return gift to the people of Ambala. Today, we have inaugurated Haryana’s first foot overbridge equipped with escalator. The Civil Hospital in Ambala Cantonment has a daily OPD footfall of over 3,000 persons. A large number of patients, along with their attendants, visit the hospital everyday. The heavy traffic makes it challenging for them to cross the road. So, we decided to get a foot overbridge made and also raised the matter with NHAI officials. We also wanted an escalator facility along with the FOB. NHAI officials agreed and got us the overbridge constructed.”

“Soon, Ambala residents will receive the gift of an airport. It will take only a month to complete this project. Some machines are to be installed and once they arrive, the project will be fully operational,” he added.

Seven suffer minor injuries during event

• During the event, when minister Anil Vij was coming down from the escalator of the overbridge, a major tragedy was averted when there was a stampede kind of a situation and some people, including Ambala Cantonment SDM Satinder Siwach, lost their balance on the escalator.
• Some persons suffered minor injuries in the incident. They were provided medical attention at the Civil Hospital.
• Principal Medical Officer Dr Lokbir said, “Seven persons suffered injuries in the incident, of whom one suffered a minor fracture in the foot, while others suffered sprain and scratches. They were all discharged from

  the hospital after getting medical aid.”